Natural disasters can have devastating effects on wild animal populations too. Whilst humans usually receive prior warning to evacuate or prepare when a disaster is imminent, this is not always the case for wild animals.
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The effects of storms and hurricanes can be particularly hard on birds if they are caught up as they can become trapped in crevices or trees and drown if there is flooding. However, there is research to suggest that birds can detect that a storm is coming thanks to certain environmental changes. If a migration season is approaching they may migrate early to escape the storm.
Squirrels are also hit particularly hard by storms as they can be blown from their nests and their supply of nuts can be severely depleted. Marine animals such as fish, sea turtles and dolphins are often washed up and stranded by storms.
On the other hand, some species thrive in the aftermath of storms. Raccoons, for example, are scavengers and are able to take advantage of the chaos caused by a hurricane to find new food sources. Black bears can also take advantage of fallen trees as it gives them increased ground shelter. Finally, gopher frogs and spadefoot toads take the opportunity of the heavy rainfall to breed.
