The Tragedy of Becoming Common: Love for All Species

Many of us connect with nature. We belong to a community that recognizes the intrinsic value of nature and how it contributes to our own well-being. The interest, passion and education that can come along with cultivating biodiversity, observing nature and experiencing joy from what it has to offer. However, there is something else that often pops into the conversation about animals in our environments. It is the narrative of "nuisance" animals, animals that we don't like observing as much as others, animals that perhaps we fear or perhaps view as an inconvenience, a pest. We stop seeing their wild and start viewing them as other, an agitation or a threat. Quite often, this happens when animals are widespread or common. Think of the squirrels, the raccoons, the skunks, the groundhogs that are woven into our lives, even in urban areas. Think of the grackles, the starlings, birds that even bird lovers cast away as unwanted or unwelcome. Humans do have a tendency to value what is rare. These species are common, and perhaps frustrating or invoke fear. This can be referred to as the tragedy of becoming common. This occurs in urbanized areas where wild animals become seen as pests or even pets. I just wanted to take a minute here to remind us all how loveable and important all animals are. Let's run through some common urban animals and why they are so amazing. Also, so that we can be accountable, I will mention human habits that harm these species so we can all strive to be better and to live more peacefully together. 

1. Raccoons 

Raccoon hiding behind some brush. Photo by Shayna Hartley. 

Ah, the trash panda. Raccoons are quite the characters, quirky and intelligent. They are agile, quick problem solvers that can adapt to a wide range of ecosystems. They are able to thrive in urban areas because of this. They have dexterity nearly equivalent of a primate. They are skilled swimmers and climbers with a heightened sense of touch. You can often observe them feeling their surroundings, or holding something underwater where this sense is further heightened. 

Human habits that impact raccoons: raccoons are often injured from unsecured garbage and recycling. They love peanut butter and ice cream just as much as the rest of us, but often have garbage and recycling become stuck on their heads which can restrict breathing and vision as well as enable them from drinking or eating. The best way to avoid this is by thoroughly washing your recycling and making sure to secure it properly. 

You can read our blog all about raccoons here. 

2. Squirrels

Eastern Grey Squirrel coming down a tree. Photo by Shayna Hartley. 

Now abundant in urban areas, squirrels were not always such a big part of our daily lives. They used to live exclusively in forests but were well-loved by humans. Because of the marvel people felt towards squirrels they were purposely introduced to cities, they did not make their way to urban spaces on their own, humans put them there. Squirrels often bury nuts and acorns and forget about them, when this happens- trees grow! They are one of the only animals that can run down a tree headfirst. And not only is their fluffy tail used as a rudder to stabilize them during jumps, but they also use it as a blanket in the winter. 

Human habits that impact squirrels: traps and/or trapping and relocating. Often people believe that relocating an animal that is bothering them or damaging something is the best solution. However, animals do not do well when relocated and it is actually illegal to locate animals far from where they are found for disease control purposes. Further, when relocating happens it is often because a squirrel has come into an attic space or garage. However, they do so to nest and have young, so often mothers are trapped and located away from babies that need them. Not to mention they are apt at pointing out weak spots if you don't address the root cause you will wind up with another family. You can read through the do's and don't's of how to handle such a situation here. 

You can read our blog all about squirrels here. 

3. Opossums

Opossums have been getting the butt end of the rumour mill for years. Often regarded as dangerous and disease filled they are nothing if not the opposite. They are the only marsupial in North America! When threatened they actually "play 'possum" where they roll onto their side, go stiff, drool and emit a foul smell, making their best attempt at looking dead so that they will be left alone by potential predators (including humans). As it turns out, opossums can digest nearly anything, including bones, effectively cleaning up our urban areas. They are seemingly immune to many things that ail humans and other wildlife including pathogens from dead or decaying animals, snake venom and Lyme disease that can be contracted from tick bites. They actually eat ticks that land on them and a single opossum can eliminate up to 4,000 ticks per week from our landscapes! Now that is a valuable service. 

Human habits that impact opossums: opossums are also impacted by unsecured garbage and recycling as well as being trapped and relocating. Another way to help opossums and many other animals is to drive cautiously, especially at night. Opossums are nocturnal and often victims of road collisions. Road accidents hugely impact many wildlife species and it is important to be alert and drive especially cautiously in wildlife crossing areas.

You can read our blog all about opossums here.  

 I hope that this has helped you realize the good and the loveable in animals that are often cast in a negative light. Further, I implore you, when thinking of the inconvenience an animal may cause you, to consider how humans threaten their homes and safety. They are just doing their best to adapt to an ever urbanizing world. Coexisting peacefully will create a better space for us all. 

Warmly, 

Heather