Ep 13. Urban Dragons

Coyote Peterson: Brave the Wild Season 1 Episode 13: Urban Dragons

In this episode of Coyote Peterson: Brave the Wild, animal expert Coyote Peterson sets out to discover the fascinating world of urban dragons. No, he's not talking about mythical beasts, but rather the real-life creatures that inhabit urban environments and have adapted to thrive within them.

As Coyote notes, many of the animals we consider pests or nuisances in cities are actually impressive survivors that have found ways to coexist with humans in their own unique ways. From rats and pigeons to raccoons and even coyotes, these creatures have adapted to the challenges of city living and can be found in almost any urban environment.

But in this episode, Coyote is specifically on the lookout for the so-called "urban dragons" – the reptiles and amphibians that are able to survive and even thrive in cities. As Coyote explains, these animals often go unnoticed by the general public, but they can be found in surprising numbers if you know where to look.

One such urban dragon is the eastern fence lizard, a colorful lizard that is commonly found in wooded areas and suburban neighborhoods throughout eastern North America. Coyote ventures into a wooded area outside of a major city to search for these lizards, and he's not disappointed – he finds one of these spiky, energetic lizards and gives viewers a close-up look at its features and behaviors.

Next, Coyote heads into the heart of a major city to search for another urban dragon: the green anole. These small, colorful lizards are able to camouflage themselves against concrete and brick walls, making them some of the most impressive survivors in urban environments. Coyote tracks down a few of these little lizards and gives viewers a glimpse into their lives in the city.

But it's not just reptiles and amphibians that Coyote is interested in – he's also keen on finding some of the most impressive urban birds. He heads to a major park in the middle of a bustling city to see if he can spot a red-tailed hawk, one of the most majestic birds of prey to be found in urban environments. With the help of some local ornithologists, Coyote is able to spot a few of these impressive birds and even captures footage of one as it swoops down to catch a rodent.

Throughout the episode, Coyote emphasizes the importance of coexisting with urban wildlife and appreciating the creatures that make their homes alongside us in our cities. By shining a light on some of the most fascinating and impressive urban creatures, he hopes to inspire viewers to appreciate the wild world that can be found even in the midst of a city.