There is no denying that climate change is a very serious matter and one that could spell catastrophe for almost every living organism on this planet. But on the other side of this despair is a beacon of hope for several creatures. Unbeknownst to some, animals like bark beetles and jellyfish actually benefit from climate change. What other species could there possibly be that would thrive under such circumstances? 

Creatures that may benefit from climate change 

1. Armadillos

Although nine-banded armadillos are primarily found in the Southeast of the United States, their range has grown as a result of climate change. These animals entered U.S. territory across the Rio Grande River in the 1850s. 

Since then, they have been continuously expanding. By the time 1994 came, scientists had revealed that armadillos covered nine parts of the southeastern U.S. In a recent 2021 study, their range was updated, and it showed that the nine-banded armadillos have now reached 15 parts of the southeastern U.S. 

According to NWF.org, this range will only expand even more as climate change worsens. The increased carbon in the atmosphere allows these armadillos to move to farther-flung areas of the country. Not only do armadillos adapt, they even benefit from climate change.

2. American bullfrog

This species of bullfrog can particularly adapt to climate change for several reasons. First, according to the American Bullfrog Action Team, flooding will make it simple for them to migrate and expand their range. 

Further, the rise in temperature will not be a hindrance to the propagation of American bullfrogs across the U.S. given that they adapt well to warmer temperatures. 

Due to a warmer climate, American bullfrogs also hibernate less, increasing their reproductive activity. 

3. Mosquitos 

Climate change makes room for mosquito breeding grounds due to a warmer climate. With the advancement of climate change, mosquitoes will have longer breeding seasons and a higher hatch rate. 

Additionally, as icebergs melt, water levels rise as a result, allowing these insects to lay eggs and grow in number. The Aedes aegypti mosquito is a species known to thrive in such conditions; in turn, an increase in mosquito-borne diseases is to be expected, especially in tropical countries. 

4. Jellyfish 

Amidst the mass extinction of thousands, if not millions, of species, one group of creatures is seen to have been adapting well to climate change, and these are jellyfish. 

According to Insider, a myriad of jellyfish species have spiked over the past two decades. These are often referred to as “jellyfish blooms.”

In turn, these have resulted in the closure of beaches, power outages, and the killing of other species of fish. 

5. Cockroaches 

It should come as no surprise that one of the most resilient species, which has managed to survive the extinction of the dinosaurs, would also be able to withstand the effects of climate change. 

Given that they can survive on near-freezing temperatures, dry habitats, and extreme levels of radiation, something frightening like climate change is not going to phase them at all. 

6. Bark beetles 

This species of beetle is thriving due to rising temperatures, more so given that summers are a lot longer nowadays. Sadly, this would result in a higher mortality rate for trees, and specifically, it would be detrimental to ponderosa pines. 

Bark beetles infest and live on trees, so that would explain why a lot of trees are gradually diminishing. To support this, between 1997 and 2010, there were more than 5 million hectares affected by the infestation of bark beetles. 

It has only gotten worse since then, given that 2010 was 11 years ago. Climate change has only been getting worse from that point on. 

7. Grey nurse shark 

This particular species of shark has been in decline for years; however, due to climate change, there seems to be a glimmer of hope for these cold-blooded creatures. Take note that there are two separate populations of grey nurse sharks in Australia, whose locations are on the east and west coasts, both of which are kept separate due to the cooler waters on the southern coasts. 

Consider the possibility that these two populations could now encounter one another as a result of the warming climate that is slowly eradicating the cool waters that separate the two shark populations. 

The result of the two shark populations meeting will be an increase in their population and range in other parts of Australia and possibly in other countries as well. 

 

Meta description 

Climate change has been one of the primary reasons why millions of species have become endangered or extinct. You may not be aware, though, that some animals actually have a chance of adapting to and surviving this ferocious change to our planet.