Climate change is having a profound impact on wildlife, threatening ecosystems and species survival worldwide. Here’s how it affects animals:

1. **Habitat Loss**: Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and extreme weather events destroy or alter natural habitats. For example, melting ice caps threaten polar bear populations, while deforestation impacts many species' homes.

2. **Altered Migration Patterns**: Many animals, like birds and sea turtles, rely on specific environmental cues for migration. Climate change disrupts these patterns, making it harder for species to find food, breeding grounds, or suitable climates.

3. **Food Chain Disruption**: Changing ecosystems can affect the availability of food for wildlife. As plant and insect species shift in response to temperature changes, herbivores may struggle to find food, and predators may face food shortages.

4. **Ocean Acidification**: Increased carbon dioxide levels contribute to ocean acidification, which harms marine species like coral reefs and shellfish. This affects biodiversity and the entire marine food chain.

5. **Extreme Weather Events**: More frequent droughts, storms, and heatwaves pose immediate threats to animals, particularly those in vulnerable regions. Some species are unable to adapt or migrate quickly enough to survive these events.

The loss of biodiversity due to climate change affects ecosystems and human societies, as many species play crucial roles in maintaining ecological balance. Conserving wildlife and mitigating climate change are critical for preserving global biodiversity.