How Climate Change Affects Animals — Reading Comprehension

Premium Resource

Grades

Standards

MS-LS2-5
MS-ESS3-5

About This Reader

This NGSS-aligned reading passage explains how climate change is affecting animals around the world. Students learn how rising temperatures and changing weather patterns cause habitat loss, affect migration and breeding, and create new threats like disease and predators. Real-life examples such as polar bears and butterflies help readers understand the pressures many species face. Designed for middle school learners, this resource supports life science standards and includes vocabulary, reading comprehension questions, and writing practice for deeper understanding.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Climate change is causing many changes in the environment, and animals around the world are feeling the effects. As temperatures rise and weather patterns shift, animals must adapt, move, or face serious challenges to their survival.

One major impact is the loss of habitat. Warmer temperatures can melt ice in polar regions, shrink forests, or dry out wetlands. For example, polar bears depend on sea ice to hunt seals. As the ice melts earlier each year, they have less time to find food and must travel farther. In other regions, rising heat can dry out lakes and rivers, making it harder for amphibians and fish to live.

Climate change also affects migration and breeding patterns. Many birds and insects rely on seasonal signals, like temperature and day length, to know when to migrate or lay eggs. If the seasons shift too quickly, they may arrive too early or too late to find food. This can lead to fewer young surviving and disrupt the food chain.

Another problem is that animals may not be able to move to cooler areas fast enough. Some species live in very specific places, like mountaintops or small islands, and can’t go anywhere else when their climate changes. Others may face new predators or diseases that spread as temperatures warm.

Some animals are adapting by changing their behavior, range, or even body features. For instance, some species of butterflies and birds are moving farther north as the climate warms. But many species can’t keep up with the speed of climate change.

Fun Fact: Scientists estimate that up to 1 million species are at risk of extinction due to climate change and other human activities if action is not taken!

What is one way climate change affects polar bears?

It makes the ice strongerIt gives them more foodIt melts the sea ice they hunt onIt keeps the weather colder

Why do some animals struggle with migration now?

They get too tiredThe sun is too brightSeasons change too quicklyThey don’t like to fly

What happens if animals arrive too early or late during migration?

They find more foodTheir young may not surviveThey build bigger nestsTheir feathers change color

What kind of habitats are shrinking because of climate change?

Deserts and beachesWetlands, ice, and forestsOceans and rivers onlyCities and towns

Why can’t some animals move to cooler areas?

They are lazyThey don’t like treesTheir habitat is too limitedTheir wings are too small

What might warmer temperatures allow to spread into new areas?

SunshineFlowersDiseases and predatorsSnow and ice

What is the main idea of the passage?

Climate change makes animals strongerClimate change helps animals grow fasterClimate change is forcing animals to adapt, move, or struggleAnimals enjoy changing seasons

If an animal cannot adapt fast enough to climate change, what might happen?

It could move to the cityIt might become extinctIt will grow largerIt will build a shelter