Evironmental Changes: The Effects of Global Warming on Artic Animals

Many arctic animals are having to make many changes when it comes to survival as the planet begins to change from global warming. The effects of global warming on arctic animals are threatening the food supplies and their ability to survive. Many animals habit patterns have began to change as global warming increases. Arctic animals are having to try and find more suitable environments to survive as the temperatures continue to rise.

Polar Bears
Polar bears are among the arctic animals that are being effected by global warming. Polar bears rely on the ice of the arctic to survive. They need the ice to hunt for their food. Seals use the ice to raise their young. Polar bears have been using this to their advantage to hunt the seals. As the temperatures in the arctic begin to rise, the ice is melting. As the ice melts, there is less ice for seals to raise their young. Less ice also means polar bears have a more difficult time hunting and moving around the arctic area.

As a result, polar bears are breaking their usual habits and traveling to areas you normally would not find a polar bear. Many polar bears are dying as they make their journey to find suitable food. A polar bears eating habits are also changing. Polar bears are now eating food they normally would not consume.

Arctic Foxes
Arctic foxes thrive in cold environments. They are well adapted to surviving in cold climates. The arctic foxes use the ice of the arctic to their advantage. They have adapted to use the ice to make burrows to survive the harsh climates. As the temperature rises, the arctic foxes are traveling further north to try and find suitable temperatures for their survival. Arctic foxes need the arctic temperatures to adequately survive.

Adelie Penguins
Adelie penguins are another arctic animal being affected by global warming. These penguins need the vital nutrients found in krill shrimp to survive. As the temperatures of the arctic rise, and the ice melts, the krill shrimp are struggling to survive. The higher temperatures are causing limited amounts of algae to grow. The krill shrimp use this algae for food. As the algae diminishes, the krill shrimp die. As a result, the penguins are now struggling to survive.

The effects of global warming on arctic animals are changing the environment these animals thrive in. The arctic animals are having to re-adapt to the present environment and change their usual habits of survival.

References:

"Wildlife and Global Warming"

"Global Warming Effects and Causes"

PlanetsaveNWF.org