(IELTS Listening) Effects of urban environments on animals

Complete the notes. Write ONE WORD ONLY in each gap.

Effects of urban environments on animals

Introduction

Recent urban developments represent massive environmental changes. It was previously thought that only a few animals were suitable for city life, e.g.

• the 31. – because of its general adaptability
  
  
• the pigeon – because walls of city buildings are similar to 32.

In fact, many urban animals are adapting with unusual 33.

Recent research 

• Emilie Snell-Rood studied small urbanised mammal specimens from museums in Minnesota.
       
       - She found the size of their 34. had increased.
  
       – She suggests this may be due to the need to locate new sources of 35. and to deal with new dangers.
  
  
• Catarina Miranda focused on the 36. of urban and rural blackbirds.
  
       - She found urban birds were often braver, but were afraid of situations that were 37.
  
  
• Jonathan Atwell studies how animals respond to urban environments.
  
       - He found that some animals respond to 38. by producing lower levels of hormones.
  
  
• Sarah Partan’s team found urban squirrels use their 39. to help them communicate.

Long-term possibilities

Species of animals may develop which are unique to cities. However, some changes may not be 40. .