How do animals survive humans?
Human civilization exerts extreme pressure on wildlife, leading to accelerated evolution in certain species. Some animals, like urban lizards and birds, adapt rapidly to survive in changing environments. For instance, Puerto Rican anoles have developed larger toe pads and heat resistance to thrive in urban settings. Similarly, urban birds have altered songs and nesting behaviors to cope with noise. Pollution has also prompted species like killifish to develop hereditary tolerance to toxins. Additionally, elephants are increasingly born without tusks due to poaching pressures. While contemporary evolution is evident, many species lack the genetic diversity or population size to adapt quickly enough to survive ongoing environmental changes.