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How Climate Change Affects Animal Migration — Reading Comprehension

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MS-LS2-6
MS-ESS3-5

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This NGSS-aligned science reading passage explains how climate change affects animal migration by altering seasonal cues, food availability, and habitats. Students learn how rising temperatures and shifting ecosystems disrupt the patterns that animals like birds, butterflies, whales, and fish rely on for survival. The passage includes examples of how animals are adapting or struggling to keep up. Designed for middle school science, this resource supports ecosystem and climate standards while improving literacy with vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking exercises.

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Many animals migrate to survive. Migration is the movement of animals from one place to another, often based on the seasons. Birds, whales, butterflies, and even caribou migrate to find food, escape cold weather, or have their babies in a safe place. But now, climate change is disrupting these natural patterns.

One major way climate change affects migration is by changing the timing of the seasons. Many animals rely on temperature or daylight to tell them when to migrate. As the planet warms, spring comes earlier in many places. This can cause birds to arrive at their breeding grounds too soon—before insects hatch or plants bloom. If food isn’t available, fewer baby birds survive.

Another problem is that animals may not find the same food or habitat when they arrive. Melting ice, wildfires, and droughts are changing ecosystems. Some wetlands are drying up, and forests are shifting to different locations. This makes it harder for migratory animals like monarch butterflies and certain fish to find the resources they depend on during their journey.

Some animals are trying to change their migration routes or timing. For example, some birds are flying shorter distances or skipping migration altogether. Others are heading farther north to find cooler areas. But these changes don’t always work, and many species can’t adapt quickly enough.

Climate change can also affect how far animals can travel. Some species lose important stopover spots where they rest and eat during long trips. If those places disappear, the animals may not have enough energy to finish their migration.

Fun Fact: The Arctic tern has the longest migration in the world—traveling over 44,000 miles each year between the Arctic and Antarctica!

What is migration?

When animals hibernateWhen animals move between places seasonallyWhen animals stop eatingWhen animals dig underground

Why do many animals migrate?

To avoid other animalsTo find food, stay safe, and raise youngTo follow humansTo explore new habitats

How does climate change affect the timing of migration?

It makes animals strongerIt causes spring to come laterIt changes when animals think it’s time to moveIt makes animals migrate in winter only

What can happen if birds arrive too early at breeding grounds?

Their eggs grow fasterThey find more foodTheir babies have more spaceTheir food may not be ready yet

What is one reason animals may not complete their journey?

They sleep too muchThey lose stopover sites to rest and feedThey get too largeThey change color

What changes are some animals making in response to climate change?