Urban raccoons in the USA are evolving: science has found signs of domestication.

According to ТСН: Urban raccoons in the United States are increasingly different from their rural relatives, which may indicate early stages of domestication. This conclusion was shared by scientists after a thorough analysis of photographs of animals from various parts of the country.

Difference in physical characteristics

The study, led by Dr. Raffaella Lesh from the University of Arkansas in Little Rock, showed that the snouts of urban raccoons are on average 3.56% shorter than those of their rural counterparts. This difference was observed regardless of climatic conditions or geographical location. Researchers analyzed about 20,000 photographs obtained from volunteers and compared the proportions of the snouts and skulls of the animals.

Adaptation to urban environment

The changes observed in raccoons are associated with the 'domestication syndrome' - a set of traits that arise in animals that are better adapted to living near humans. This pertains not only to appearance but also to behavior: urban raccoons typically react more calmly to people, are less frightened, and actively explore new places.

Impact of food access

The main factor leading to these changes is easy access to food. The urban environment provides stable 'easy calories', particularly through garbage, which promotes the survival of individuals that are more adaptive to humans. Over time, these traits become dominant in new generations, even without direct human intervention.

Evolutionary changes in other species

Similar processes have been observed in other animal species, such as urban foxes in London and mice in Switzerland. Scientists emphasize that cities act as an evolutionary filter for wildlife, altering not only behavior but also anatomy of animals that have learned to live alongside humans.

These observations open new horizons for understanding domestication processes in the modern world and their impact on wild animals. Understanding evolutionary changes in animals can help in more effective conservation of biological diversity in rapidly changing urban conditions.