Urban Jungle

An exhibit with a yellow and blue information panel at the back and a triangular prism with a picture of house at the front.
An exhibit with a yellow and blue information panel at the back and a triangular prism with a picture of house at the front.

Animals adapt when their natural environment is replaced by human-built structures.

How it works

Look for six animals in the suburban scene. See if you can find the same six animals in the bush scene.

Things to try or ask around the exhibit

  • Can some animals live in the city and the bush?
  • If your home disappeared, could you find somewhere else to live?

Background

When humans build houses and roads over grasslands and forests, plants and animals must adapt and find other places called niches to live. Some animals are unable to adapt easily and they die off as more building occurs.

Finding the science in your world

Plants and animals find niches similar to their original home. This means that possums that normally live in tree hollows may share your roof in the city!

On Display