In today's lecture, we'll discuss the impact of urbanization on local wildlife. A recent study in Melbourne tracked the behavior of possums in suburban areas. Researchers found that possums adapted their activity patterns, becoming more nocturnal to avoid human interaction. Interestingly, the availability of food sources, such as fruit trees in gardens, led to a higher population density in residential zones compared to natural forests. However, this adaptation came with risks: increased traffic accidents and predation by domestic pets. The study concluded that while urban environments offer certain benefits, they also pose significant challenges for native species.