Animals are ‘shapeshifting’ in response to climate crisis

Warm-blooded animals are changing their physiology to adapt to a hotter climate. This “shapeshifting” includes getting larger beaks, legs and ears to better regulate their body temperature. Some creatures in warmer climates have historically evolved to have larger beaks or ears to get rid of heat more easily. These differences are becoming more pronounced as the climate warms.

Beaks, which are not covered by feathers and therefore not insulated, are a site of significant heat exchange, as are ears, tails and legs in mammals if not covered by fur. The review, published in the journal Trends in Ecology & Evolution, found that the differences are particularly pronounced in birds.