City Lizards More Social Due to Urban Living

City lizards are more social than their countryside counterparts due to urban living conditions.

Why it matters

  • Urbanization affects animal behavior, not just habitat.
  • Shows how animals adapt to urban environments.

By the numbers

  • Study conducted in Rovinj, Croatia, and a nearby park.
  • Observations over 21 days.
  • Urban lizards had more social connections and stronger associations.

The big picture

  • Urbanization can lead to changes in animal social behaviors.
  • Similar findings in other species like striped field mice.

What they're saying

  • “Urban lizards maintain many more contacts and develop stronger bonds.” — Avery Maune, study author.

Caveats

  • Observations limited to 21 days.
  • Sample size details not explicitly stated.

What’s next

  • Further research on other species.
  • Long-term studies on urbanization effects.