Today in our environmental science lecture, we'll discuss the impact of urban development on local wildlife. A recent study in Melbourne tracked the movement of possums across suburban areas. Researchers found that possums avoid busy roads, but they frequently use tree-lined streets and backyard corridors. Interestingly, the presence of domestic cats reduced possum activity by up to 40%, while dogs had a lesser effect. The study suggests that maintaining green corridors and limiting cat ownership at night could help preserve these marsupials. However, the most surprising finding was that possums adapted to artificial lights, becoming more nocturnal in brightly lit neighborhoods.