From flamingos in the Midwest to ‘hurricane toads’: study uncovers wildlife’s fascinating hurricane survival stories

Hurricanes can have significant impact to wildlife, including pushing them to the brink of extinction. But sometimes, they can actually help wildlife thrive and cause a population boom.
Strange impacts can happen, like American flamingos getting flung into the Midwest from Mexico.
A new study from UF explores these impacts, just ahead of the 2026 Hurricane Season.

Hurricanes can be a devastating force – leveling trees, erasing beaches and damaging homes. But what do they do to wildlife?

The answer ranges from the good to the bad to the ugly. Hurricanes sometimes help native species, but other times, they introduce and spread invasive species. Sometimes, they cause animals to evolve to survive these storms more easily, and sometimes they lead to mass migration or extinction.

To read more, please visit UF News.