You might not expect to find a coyote in the produce aisle of your local grocery store, but that’s exactly what happened in Chicago recently. A video of police officers pulling a live coyote out of a refrigerated display at an Aldi supermarket quickly made the rounds on social media. It’s just one of many examples of wild animals showing up in places we least expect them.

From black bears chilling in hot tubs to mountain lions strolling through downtown streets, these encounters remind us that nature isn’t as far away as we think. But coyotes? They’re the true survivors. These clever creatures have figured out how to thrive alongside humans, even in densely populated areas.

Efforts to get rid of coyotes over the years have mostly failed. When one coyote is removed, another simply takes its place. They’re here to stay, and they’ve mastered the art of staying out of sight. Take the recent Aldi incident, for example. After being pulled out by its tail, the coyote leapt right back onto the shelf, vanishing once again.

This isn’t the first time a coyote has made headlines in an urban setting. In 2019, one wandered into a Nashville convention center and was eventually found calmly sitting on a bathroom counter. These moments are a reminder that wild animals are always around us, even if we don’t see them. Whether they’re hiding under a bush, curled up in a shed, or sneaking into a grocery store, they’ve adapted to our world in ways we rarely notice.

So, the next time you’re at the store, keep an eye out—you never know who might be sharing the aisle with you.