These animals are mostly likely to 'win' climate change

Some creatures may benefit from the new conditions

Lion's mane jellyfish.
Climate change could triple the population of the lion's mane jellyfish
(Image credit: Stuart Westmorland / Getty Images)

While climate change is expected to cause wide-scale extinction, some animals might potentially fare better than others. Some creatures are even reaping benefits from the changing climate and could drastically alter the ecosystem as we know it. These animals are called the "winners" of climate change and will likely thrive in the new conditions. The species most likely to survive or even thrive are those that multiply quickly, are without sensitive habitat requirements and a non-picky diet. Most species that fit the criteria are insects and rodents, and many are considered invasive. Introducing the five species that might win the climate-change race.

Jellyfish

Bullfrogs

Bullfrogs are an invasive species known for being strong predators and capable of spreading a deadly fungus. They are also capable of traveling far distances since they can "leap up to six feet in a single hop and can travel more than a mile between isolated waterways over land," said Gizmodo. A warming climate will only make more suitable habitats for the bullfrog and threaten other amphibian species across the globe. "In South America, bullfrogs are projected to move into new areas as the climate warms. In South Korea, under the worst-case climate change scenarios, American bullfrogs are projected to increase their range. In western Canada, climate change is also thought to be facilitating the bullfrog takeover," Gizmodo said.

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Feral swine

Feral swine, also called wild hogs, are expected to increase in population in warmer temperatures. A study published in the journal Scientific Reports found that feral swine populations rise in warmer temperatures because their food sources increase. The invasive hogs have been found in 35 U.S. states and are extremely destructive, causing more than $1B in damage each year. "Nearly 300 native plant and animal species in the U.S. are in rapid decline because of feral swine, and many of the species are already at risk," said USA Today. "The swine also carry at least 40 parasites, 30 bacterial and viral illnesses, and can infect humans, livestock and other animals with diseases like brucellosis and tuberculosis."

Spotted lanternfly

The invasive spotted lanternfly is likely to leave its light on permanently. The insects have spread rapidly across the U.S., and warming temperatures will only expand their habitat. "It's a very distinctive and characteristic bug, and it is establishing in more places," Julie Urban, a research associate professor of entomology at Pennsylvania State University, said to CNN. "It's possible that if your plants are around longer, lanternflies in warmer areas could persist longer and maybe lay an additional clutch." In addition, a study published in the journal Scientific Reports said "human-mediated dispersal (e.g., cars, trucks and trains) is driving the observed spread dynamics and distribution of the spotted lanternfly throughout the eastern USA." 

Mosquitos

Another notorious insect, the mosquito, is likely to grow in population due to climate change. The blood-sucking insects spread several diseases including malaria, Zika and dengue fever and have been known to thrive in warm climates. "Mosquito season is getting longer, mosquito populations are booming and mosquito ranges are growing," said Gizmodo. The insects can also spread diseases to other species like birds, reducing the infected species' populations. Longer mosquito seasons can also speed up evolution rates. "More generations means more chances for the world's deadliest animal to get even better at being the worst," Gizmodo said.

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Devika Rao, The Week US

 Devika Rao has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022, covering science, the environment, climate and business. She previously worked as a policy associate for a nonprofit organization advocating for environmental action from a business perspective.