As humans continue to expand our living spaces, disturbed habitats of different animals are pushing them towards adaptation.

Due to this, several unknown visitors are being spotted in residential areas or suburban neighborhoods, wandering close to our homes and communities, trying to adapt. Over time, these creatures have to live side by side with humans, becoming our future animal neighbors.

The Coyotes

Coyotes are known to be native to North America, and they now inhabit all 50 states of America.

As cities and neighborhoods continue to replace forests and fields, coyotes are forced to wander towards new habitats, even flowing through residential areas. Their adaptability and intelligence have made them particularly well suited for urban living. Coyotes are often referred to as one of the most successful urban predators in North America.

They hunt small rodents, rabbits, and stray cats- animals that are prevalent in our suburban habitats.

The Skunks

You probably don’t want to cross paths with a skunk – but their sense of smell and their ability to spray its highly pungent scent can help them protect themselves.

Skunks are known to be nocturnal animals and are mostly seen in people’s lawns at night while searching for food. They are attracted to areas with rich vegetation, which means they’ll thrive in suburban areas. When skunks are threatened or disturbed, they spray their known scent on the potential intruder to fend them off.

The Foxes

Red foxes are often spotted in the neighborhoods or the suburbs’ edge. Their ability to survive in such habitats depends on a number of factors, from finding adequate shelter to finding food.

Typically, these habitats are easier to navigate and contain sources for them to hunt and forage. When it comes to foxes’ diet, they eat small mammals, birds, and reptiles. They can also eat fruits and insects, depending on their food sources’ availability.

The Raccoons

North American raccoons may be known for their mischief, but they are ubiquitous in suburban areas. They’ll scour through your backyard and try to come inside to rummage through your trash.

Raccoons, again, are creatures of habit, and they prefer an easy source of their diet, including food waste tossed in garbage cans. Raccoons are native to North America, and their adaptability has led to their successful integration with humans.

The Opossums

Opossums are North American marsupials and are also known as America’s only marsupial species. They are opportunistic creatures that adapt well to residential areas and make their den in areas like dense tree canopies or beneath a deck.

These creatures forage during the night and can consume anything from snails to fruits, garbage scraps, and roadkill.

The Squirrels

Squirrels are small mammals that belong to the rodent family and are known for their bushy tails. These animals are highly adaptable and are found everywhere in North America.

They primarily eat nuts and seeds and are arboreal animals that are often seen jumping from tree to tree in their habitats. However, suburban areas are also becoming popular homes for these creatures since they can find suitable food sources like bird feeders and birdhouses in backyards.

The Armadillos

Armadillos are known to be South American mammals. They are found in southern US States such as Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma. Armadillos are burrowing mammals that prefer deciduous forests and grasslands for habitat.

However, with a decline in natural habitats and the growth of nearby neighborhoods, armadillos have started to move into urban areas. Meeting these strange creatures can be a unique experience for suburbanites, but armadillos may also risk getting hit by cars and other dangers in these neighborhoods.

The Rats

Where there are people, there are rats. They are known as one of the most evolutionally successful mammals on the planet. Rats are known for their adaptability and intelligence.

They reproduce quickly and eat almost anything, making it difficult to control these rodents. How rats adapt to urban environments is a fascinating phenomenon. They typically live in burrows, but they will also use unoccupied buildings as shelter. They are also known to spread diseases, so it is important to keep them away from the community.

The Deer

Deer are known for their majestic beauty and are often seen in suburban areas at night. They often come to our communities looking for food or water, especially during droughts. The issue with deer in residential areas is their eating habit.

They can cause damage to gardens, landscaping, and other crops. UNtil now, deer have prospered in suburban and urban areas because of easy food availability and minimal competition. However, this prosperity is forcing them to cross roads, putting them at greater risk for accidents and injuries.

The Birds

Birds are perhaps the most common and diverse animal presence in our communities since humans migrated from cages to other spaces.

Everyday visitors to our backyards such as sparrows, jays, robins, and cardinals, the list of our feathered neighbors seems countless. But as our habitats continue to expand, so do the number of different bird species that have started living among us.