Climate change could shrink animals, warn scientists

Telegraph.co.uk ^ | March 15, 2017 | by Sarah Krapton

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Animals could start shrinking because of global warming, scientists have predicted, after discovering that mammals became ‘dwarfed’ in a similar episode of climate change 50 million years ago.

Paleontologists discovered the fossil teeth belonging to an early ancestor of modern horses as well as a rabbit-sized hoofed mammal.

“Dwarfing appears to be a common evolutionary response of some mammals during past global warming events, and the extent of dwarfing seems related to the magnitude of the event,” said lead author Dr Abigail Ambrosia, of the University of New Hampshire.

“Abrupt perturbations of the global carbon cycle during the early Eocene are associated with rapid global warming events, which are analogous in many ways to present greenhouse warming.”

[Mr. Douglas]

So, where are we gonna get all our hamburger in 3 million years? This is kinda scary!

[FlingWingFlyer]

“Could” is the keyword. No proof or evidence but hey, gotta keep those government grants coming in.

[euram]

I guess Toy Poodles will become Micro Poodles.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Because Elephants live in warm climate and they are so small ya see....

[NativeSon]

I don’t know about animals but it has definitely shrunk my pants - could barely squeeze into a suit today.

[BlueLancer]

"So, where are we gonna get all our hamburger in 3 million years?"

From the herd of cows that you are raising in your bathtub ...

[aces]

let’s put the scientist in the desert for 10 years and see if they shrink first as a beta test..jus sayin from an engineering point of view

[mazda77]

There’s your proof! Compare a wooly mammoth to today’s elephant!

[BenLurkin]

It can start with Michael Moore.

[rusty schucklefurd]

re: “Abrupt perturbations of the global carbon cycle during the early Eocene are associated with rapid global warming events, which are analogous in many ways to present greenhouse warming.”

Sounds like a LOT of conjecture, built on conjecture, and based on still more conjecture.

[libstripper]

Then there are pythons, anacondas, and boa constructors, all noted for their small sizes.

[Daffynition]

From a test-tube?

[AmusedBystander]

Good. I can’t find a doggie door big enough for my pet elephant.

[Mr. Douglas]

From the herd of cows that you are raising in your bathtub ...

---

Hey! Hamburgers could be like spider sushi. Instead of a burger, it’s a whole cow!

[BunnySlippers]

Cute little mini animals. So adorables!

[Buckeye McFrog]

I thought COLD temperatures caused shrinkage.

[tet68]

“Abrupt perturbations of the global carbon cycle during the early Eocene are associated with rapid global warming events, which are analogous in many ways to present greenhouse warming.”

Imagine, and all before there were SUVs!@!!

[brucedickinson]

tiny little chicken breasts

[BlueLancer]

"Instead of a burger, it’s a whole cow!"

Well, it gives a whole new slant on "Have a Black Cow Sucker" ...