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The effects of global warming on animal behavior are large. Global warming is expected to cause an irreversible change and alteration in the ecosystem. Due to the rising temperatures, glaciers are receding at an alarming rate and changing the environment of the mountains as well as oceans. Penguins are at risk as their habitat is being threatened by melting glaciers. Melting polar ice is affecting the life of many animals and tiny organisms that larger creatures feed on for survival. Rise in water temperatures is significantly affecting the marine life. Many species will eventually die or become extinct and the ones that prefer warmer water will increase in number.
Animal species that hibernate throughout winters end their hibernation sooner than normal due to intense climatic changes. Marmots, brown and polar bears are breaking their hibernation earlier than normal. This disruption from normal hibernation could mean life or death for these species.
One of the most evident effects of global warming on animal behavior is habitat loss. Due to rising temperatures, plants and trees are not growing properly. The animal species that depend on plants and trees are suffering from losing some or all of their habitats. Expansion of the world’s deserts and changes in the coastlines due to rising sea levels are edging out other environments and affecting their animal population. Increasing water levels are also threatening to submerge tropical islands and forests that are populated with many animals.
Migration patterns of many animal species have also been affected. One of the reasons for change in migration patterns is loss of habitat at either end of the migratory route. Another reason for change is that some animals are traveling farther towards higher altitudes in search of colder climates, invading the territory of already established species. Many animals cover long distances to reach warmer climates for breeding purposes. However, the devastation of migratory route or loss of habitat has forced these species to either change or not migrate at all. The same is happening for aquatic animals.
