With the increased growth of cities, more natural habitats are becoming disturbed or fragmented, which leads to an influx of wildlife previously found in rural habitats into urban areas. To successfully inhabit these areas, some of these animals have to adapt or change their behavior. Some changes include diet, movement, and reproductive patterns which can lead to evolutionary changes. Such urban species may not exhibit the same behavioral traits as their rural counterparts. In this study, we ask the question: how does urbanization affect the evolution of an animal species? This project explores the morphological changes observed in the skulls of white-tailed deer found in rural and urban habitats. If the morphological changes are observed in urban populations then a possible causative factor might be urbanization. White-tailed deer are considered one of the most adaptable animals in urban environments. They are herbivores whose diet can change depending on their habitat. In rural areas, they mostly feed on grass in open areas, but in urban areas, their diet has changed. We predict that morphological changes observed in the skull or body structures of these animals in urban areas might reflect a change in behavioral traits over time when compared to those individuals living in less densely populated areas.
