It is evident that global warming is happening, even though some people still have their doubts. Everyday more hard hitting evidence is being published, one such case is the effect of global warming on animals.
Animals are either migrating to higher elevations to escape the rising, adapting or genetically evolving to cope with climate change. The Tawny Owl comes in two shades, brown and less brown. This is determined by how much pheomelanin (a type of pigment) they have in their plumage. Given their natural climate the majority of them have less brown plumage to better blend in with the white of the snow while hunting. But with the winters being less snowy due to the temperature rise the majority are now a few shades deeper brown to better blend with the forest. According to the 2011 Nature Communications study there was significant increase in Brown plumed owls over the last 28 years. Read about this study here. Directly below is the current Tawny Owl who has adapted to the warmer temperatures and less snowy winters. The bottom picture is what the owl used to look like. What a difference…
