What would you do if you found an alligator in your garage? Or if you spotted a mountain lion downtown? In cities and suburbs around the world, wild creatures are showing up where we least expect them. Not all of them arrive by accident, and some are here to stay. As the human population tops seven billion, animals are running out of space. Their natural habitats are surrounded―and sometimes even replaced―by highways, shopping centers, office parks, and subdivisions. The result? A wildlife invasion of our urban neighborhoods. What kinds of animals are making cities their new home? How can they survive in our ecosystem of concrete, steel, and glass? And what does their presence there mean for their future and ours? Join scientists, activists, and the folks next door on a journey around the globe to track down our newest wild animal neighbors. Discover what is bringing these creatures to our backyards―and how we can create spaces for people and animals to live side by side. This handsome book considers the presence of wild animals in cities, town, and suburbs. Certain species enter populated areas because of climate change and shrinking natural habitats, while others are drawn by carelessly discarded food. Downer leads readers across the country and around the world to observe mountain lions in Los Angeles, crows in Tokyo, coyotes in Chicago, flying foxes in Sydney, loggerhead sea turtles in Sarasota, alligators in Houston, and raccoons throughout the U.S. In some places, the animals jeopardize public safety, while in others, such as coastal areas where sea turtle hatchlings are drawn toward the urban lights, people threaten the survival of animals. Each chapter examines the particular challenges faced by a species as well as the response of a community to the problems that arise. Clearly written, the text is quite readable and informative. Excellent color photos takes readers “on location,” while fact boxes, sidebars, and captions provide additional information. An attractive presentation of an intriguing topic. Grades 5-8. --Carolyn Phelan "Wild animals are increasingly sharing human urban and suburban spaces around the world. Using the examples of black bears, raccoons, mountain lions, coyotes, turtles and alligators in this country, crows in Japan and flying foxes in Australia, along with plentiful photographs, this title introduces some surprising wildlife neighbors. Downer, the author of Elephant Talk (2011), clearly explains how these animals have come into our backyards. Often, it's because we came into theirs. Sometimes, it's because we've provided easy food pickings and appealing places to live. Informational sidebars give additional facts about each species, explain some ways they've adapted to a human world, and make further connections between the animals (and their problems) and our own lives. An early double-page aerial photograph of New York City serves as a background for identifying the parts of a city ecosystem that attract wildlife, and a world map toward the end shows the locations of other urban wildlife problems. An epilogue suggests measures humans can take to help our species coexist with theirs. The busy, colorful design sometimes makes it difficult to follow the narrative thread, but the effort is worthwhile. Ample documentation and further resource suggestions will help readers wanting to know more. An unusual issue set forth clearly and concisely for middle school and high school readers. " ― Kirkus Reviews ( Journal ) "The question, 'What does it mean to be 'urban' or 'wild' in the twenty-first century?' is posed in the introduction, and while there is no clear answer to be found, there is plenty here to get kids thinking about and debating these definitions. Seven animals are each given a chapter: raccoons, mountain lions, crows, coyotes, flying foxes, loggerhead sea turtles, and alligators. Within each chapter is a list of facts and a little background or history of the animal and its new urban environment. There is an interesting discussion of adaptations the animal has made to survive, the traits that have either created success or failure in an urban environment, and some of the studies that have been done about the creatures. Depending on the animal, they are seen either as pests (crows) or something to be protected (loggerhead sea turtles); material about efforts to change human behavior to save the animals or change animal behavior to save the humans is included. Full-color photographs show the sadness (in the case of the mountain lion that would be put down) and the hope (the loggerhead returning to the ocean) present when animals and humans cohabitate in urban environments. Also included is a brief look at what makes an urban ecosystem unique and the possibilities for building wildlife-friendly cities. Living with wildlife is a fact of our lives, and this successful book is worthy of a spot on any library shelf. " ―starred, School Library Journal ( Journ