Animals
White Tailed Deer
hite Tailed Deer are found throughout the entire state of Massachusetts, and a significant portion of North America. They can be identified by their white tails, and antlers in males. These antlers are grown in the summer, and have a thin covering of fur on them. In the winter, the deer shed this fur, and the bone antlers underneath are revealed. The males then use these antlers to fight other males for breeding rights. White Tailed Deer feed entirely on common vegetation, mostly the leaves and flowers of plants lower to the ground. Climate change is a huge problem for these creatures. They know when to grow their antlers, when to mate, and the best places to eat, by the changing of the seasons. Climate change throws off the pattern of the seasons, and these three basic functions are thrown off because of this.
hite Tailed Deer are found throughout the entire state of Massachusetts, and a significant portion of North America. They can be identified by their white tails, and antlers in males. These antlers are grown in the summer, and have a thin covering of fur on them. In the winter, the deer shed this fur, and the bone antlers underneath are revealed. The males then use these antlers to fight other males for breeding rights. White Tailed Deer feed entirely on common vegetation, mostly the leaves and flowers of plants lower to the ground. Climate change is a huge problem for these creatures. They know when to grow their antlers, when to mate, and the best places to eat, by the changing of the seasons. Climate change throws off the pattern of the seasons, and these three basic functions are thrown off because of this.
Squirrels
Different varieties of squirrels are found throughout North America. Squirrels are best known for their superb climbing ability, and they make nests in trees, called dreys, to support their mostly aerial lifestyle. Squirrels are mostly solitary and asocial, but despite this, they have a large vocabulary of warning sounds to let other squirrels nearby know of any danger. Squirrels mostly eat nuts, seeds, fruit, and other edible tree products, but when they are hungry squirrels are known to also eat small insects, rodents, and even some smaller snakes. They breed twice a year, in January and June. Climate change throws off their mating cycle, because the seasons temperatures are different, and they are not sure when to mate anymore. Squirrels also have a habit of burying food for the winter, but with the change in temperature, they are not sure when to do this either.
Different varieties of squirrels are found throughout North America. Squirrels are best known for their superb climbing ability, and they make nests in trees, called dreys, to support their mostly aerial lifestyle. Squirrels are mostly solitary and asocial, but despite this, they have a large vocabulary of warning sounds to let other squirrels nearby know of any danger. Squirrels mostly eat nuts, seeds, fruit, and other edible tree products, but when they are hungry squirrels are known to also eat small insects, rodents, and even some smaller snakes. They breed twice a year, in January and June. Climate change throws off their mating cycle, because the seasons temperatures are different, and they are not sure when to mate anymore. Squirrels also have a habit of burying food for the winter, but with the change in temperature, they are not sure when to do this either.
Turkey
Turkeys are also found through much of North America, especially farther North in the United States, and the South of Canada. Many believe that turkeys cannot fly, but they actually can over short distances. Their distinctive tail feathers are used by males to attract mates. Turkeys most common food source is acorns, seeds, and berries, but they also have been known to eat small insects. Turkeys have a bald head, which is considered ugly by many, but the color of this bald spot can actually change based upon the mood of the turkey. When turkeys are distressed, their head turns to either red, white, or blue. Climate change affects these birds because they also mate during certain seasons, and forage for food during others. Without the normal temperature changes, their mating and eating cycle is also thrown off.
Turkeys are also found through much of North America, especially farther North in the United States, and the South of Canada. Many believe that turkeys cannot fly, but they actually can over short distances. Their distinctive tail feathers are used by males to attract mates. Turkeys most common food source is acorns, seeds, and berries, but they also have been known to eat small insects. Turkeys have a bald head, which is considered ugly by many, but the color of this bald spot can actually change based upon the mood of the turkey. When turkeys are distressed, their head turns to either red, white, or blue. Climate change affects these birds because they also mate during certain seasons, and forage for food during others. Without the normal temperature changes, their mating and eating cycle is also thrown off.
Coyotes
Coyotes are also found throughout much of North America, mostly due to the eradication of wolves. As wolves were killed off, there was an empty niche on the North American ecosystem, that of top predator, besides humans of course. Coyotes were perfectly suited for the job, essentially smaller wolves, they have actually grown in size to take the second highest place in the North American food chain. They are carnivores, but will eat almost anything, including all smaller animals, and even trash. They are mostly nocturnal hunters, and move in packs of six to take down their prey. Coyotes often will kill badgers and groundhogs to live in their burrows, and will mark this territory with urine to warn other packs away. But even climate change effects this top predator. Without the regular progression of the seasons, they too become confused about when to mate, when to eat, and when to move to new territory.
Coyotes are also found throughout much of North America, mostly due to the eradication of wolves. As wolves were killed off, there was an empty niche on the North American ecosystem, that of top predator, besides humans of course. Coyotes were perfectly suited for the job, essentially smaller wolves, they have actually grown in size to take the second highest place in the North American food chain. They are carnivores, but will eat almost anything, including all smaller animals, and even trash. They are mostly nocturnal hunters, and move in packs of six to take down their prey. Coyotes often will kill badgers and groundhogs to live in their burrows, and will mark this territory with urine to warn other packs away. But even climate change effects this top predator. Without the regular progression of the seasons, they too become confused about when to mate, when to eat, and when to move to new territory.