Urban Wildlife Safari

Fox kits running in the backyard. — Red fox puppies play in the backyard of a home in northeastern Lincoln. Photo by Eric Fowler, Nebraskaland Magazine.

By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist

When you hear the word “safari,” you probably imagine giraffes stretching their necks above the savanna, elephants dust-bathing underneath an acacia tree, or a lion lounging in the heat. But here in Nebraska, we’ve got a different kind of safari — one that doesn’t require a plane ticket or binoculars the size of your head. It just takes a little curiosity and willingness to look at your surroundings differently.

What Is an Urban Wildlife Safari?

An urban wildlife safari is about exploring the wild spaces woven into our cityscapes. It’s a walk through your own backyard, a slow bike ride along the city trail, or keeping your eyes and ears open during an afternoon at a local park. This kind of safari doesn’t focus on finding the rarest species, it’s about rediscovering the ones that have learned to live right beside us.

Nebraska’s urban areas are teeming with life. From fox squirrels sunning themselves on sidewalks to nighthawks swooping above parking lots at dusk, the wildlife in our cities has adapted in smart and sometimes surprising ways.

Mournful Thyris Moth — This mournful thyris moth was found resting on the side of the splash stream at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo, around hundreds of kids and families on a hot summer night. My 6-year-old daughter found this moth, and this was a new species find for me! Photo by Monica Macoubrie.

Common Wildlife You Might See

Eastern cottontail rabbits dart through neighborhood lawns and hide under decks.
Raccoons investigate trash cans and explore storm drains like a subway system.
Red foxes trot through alleyways and open lots, especially near green space.
Opossums, our only native marsupial, help clean up the city by eating insects and carrion.
Coyotes are more common than most people think. They often move through neighborhoods after dark, mostly unnoticed.
Birds are everywhere — from the house sparrows nesting under eaves to Cooper’s hawks darting through backyards in pursuit of prey.
Snakes, including harmless garter snakes and the occasional bullsnake, help control rodent populations even in city limits.

And let’s not forget our invertebrate neighbors. Pollinators such as bumble bees, monarch butterflies and beetles are vital parts of this urban ecosystem, too.

This plains garter snake was found near a retaining wall in the middle of a backyard in Lincoln. Snakes provide rodent and insect control, especially in urban areas. Photo by Monica Macoubrie.

Where the Wild Things Are

Even in the heart of a city, animals find ways to thrive. Old sheds, abandoned lots, city parks, rain gardens, green roofs and even culverts become critical habitat. That row of lilacs behind the grocery store might be a nesting spot for a songbird. A drainage ditch could be hunting grounds for a heron. A patch of prairie grass in the schoolyard might shelter dozens of pollinators.

What we often call “messy”— fallen logs, leaf piles, overgrown corners — are actually rich habitats. Wildlife doesn’t need perfectly manicured lawns; it needs food, water, shelter and safe corridors to move.

fox family in a neighborhood — In urban areas, foxes thrive by taking advantage of fragmented green spaces, alleys and quiet neighborhoods, skillfully navigating city life while avoiding most human interaction. This fox family photo was taken in the middle of the afternoon in a church green space in Lincoln. Photo by Monica Macoubrie.

Why Urban Wildlife Matters

Besides being fascinating, urban wildlife is essential. These animals are part of our ecosystem. They help manage insect populations, disperse seeds and connect people to the natural world. Seeing a fox in your neighborhood can spark a lifelong curiosity. Watching a fledgling robin hop across your yard might lead to a conversation about bird migration or habitat loss.

And perhaps most importantly, urban wildlife shows us that nature isn’t something separate from our daily lives. They are part of our neighborhoods, our routines and our responsibility.

Insects, like this swallowtail caterpillar, can be found moving around flowers in sidewalk planters, hiding underneath leaf litter in parks, or clinging to lights on warm summer nights. Photo by Monica Macoubrie.

Tips for Your Urban Wildlife Safari

Ready to explore? Here are a few ways to get started:

Time it right. Early morning and just after sunset are peak wildlife viewing times.
Slow down and look low. Wildlife often stays close to the ground or hides in cover. Take your time.
Use all your senses. Sometimes you’ll hear an animal before you see it — listen for bird calls, rustling or the splash of a frog.
Keep a journal or sketchbook. Jot down what you see, when and where. Over time, you’ll start to notice patterns.
Bring kids along. No one notices bugs, birds or burrows quite like a curious 5-year-old.
Respect their space. Observe from a distance, don’t feed wildlife, and never try to touch or capture animals.

And maybe most importantly: Be okay with not seeing something “exciting.” Urban safaris are just as much about noticing everyday wildlife as they are about spotting something unusual.

a child picking up trash — My 6-year-old was helping to pick up trash when she noticed a really cool leaf. Photo by Monica Macoubrie.

Building a More Wildlife-Friendly City

If you want to encourage even more wildlife in your corner of Nebraska, it doesn’t take much. Plant native flowers. Leave a brush pile. Add a bird bath. Avoid pesticides. These small actions, multiplied by neighborhoods and communities, help create a connected web of habitat that supports everything from birds and butterflies to bats and badgers. Yes — even badgers, which have been spotted near urban edges, especially in cities bordering native prairie and farmland.

We tend to think of cities as places that push nature out. But the truth is, wildlife is still here. It’s behind the school, under the porch, perched above the streetlamp. It’s adapting, surviving and often thriving right alongside us. So next time you head outside — whether it’s to take out the trash, walk your dog or enjoy a cup of coffee on the porch — take a moment to look around.

What do you hear? What moves? What shares your space? You might discover you’ve been living on the edge of a safari all along.