The modern urban city is a relatively new innovation in the scheme of the natural world. Animal species, faced with the rapid, enormous advancements of the industrialization of the human race, have been forced to adapt to new human-induced lifestyles or face extinction. Despite the expansion of urban cities in recent years, many urban animals are already somewhat comfortable with human lifestyles, whether through domestication or long-standing relationships dating back to the formations of the first cities.
Paris, despite its old age and continued expansion over time, has retained a retinue of city species, species who live, sleep, and die in the old-fashioned streets and prime tourist areas. A prime-eyed viewer will be able to spot these species, the same that have traveled to urban areas worldwide, across the streets of Paris, most of whom rely on relationships with humans for survival.
The most common, or at least most easily spot, is the humble dog. The dog, referred to as man’s best friend, has maintained a symbiotic relationship with humans for hundreds of years, becoming one of, if not the most popular domestic pet on earth. Dogs are a common sight in Paris, their presence betrayed by common piles of scat scattered on sidewalks and street gutters. Though strays exist, the dog is most commonly accompanied by an owner. From what I have observed, many dogs are entrusted by their owner with a sense of freedom, many utilizing leashes limitedly or not at all (this freedom may have led to the defecations I have commonly sighted). Similarly, there seem to be no common trends in what breeds are owned: within park and green areas, larger dogs are common, while in more touristy areas, smaller breeds are more common.
Another common animal is the similarly popular but reclusive cat. The cat, though does not enjoy the same level of attachment many dogs have towards humans, still enjoys a positive relationship with man. Cats are less common among Paris streets. Whether they avoid crowded areas, slink in secluded areas, or are nocturnal, cats can still occasionally be spotted out the corner of an observers’ eye. One tip I have discovered in to look up: I have caught several cats in more residential areas sunbathing or resting on areas aboveground, though many are quick to scatter at the sign of a human. Other common domestic animals I have spotted included birds.
Other animal species retain close but distant relations with humans, using us as sources of food. The most common example of this is the bird. Many species can be sighted within Paris, many residing along the Seine or in tree-covered areas. Though some less populous species live in the large city parks, the two most common species are the pigeon and the duck. I am not well acquainted in ornithology to identify the individual species of these, but still, pigeons and ducks can be found city-wide.
Ducks can be found at water-based locations, mostly within parks or fountains. These ducks can easily be attracted through feeding and will aggressively gather at the sign of human feeding. Pigeons act similarly; they can be found nearly everywhere across Paris. They mostly reside around trees; if searching for pigeons, either look up or down: pigeons either rest in trees or other raised areas, or strut around the feet of pedestrians. Paris pigeons are large and skittish, most maintain a safe distance from humans, only approaching if offered food, whether purposefully or accidentally.
Two other common animals are fish and rats. Fish are entirely confined to water, as expected, and reside mostly in parks. I haven’t seen any rats so far during my trip, but their association with Paris is well known. If one is observant and watches crumbs, they might be able to spot their skittish scurrying across the stony streets or see them escape into their hidden, possibly sewer-ridden abodes.
These animal species, among others, have survived throughout the history of Paris. As I have seen myself, many have developed relations with humans in order to develop with the city. As such, surely as Paris continues to grow and celebrate its history, animals will be right beside it, lurking in the city’s historical shadow, scavenging the crumbs left behind.