The flamingo is currently the only member of the Phoenicopteridea family. These birds are decedents of ancient shore birds. They prey on small sea creatures such as shrimp, mollusks, and algae. While filling their appetite, these colorful birds get to enjoy the warm sands of the South American coast. Their paradise is, unfortunately, not perfect. While dining on their favorite foods, they have to be constantly aware of any signs of danger. Wild dogs and jaguars love to devour their favorite delicacy, flamingo.
Devastatingly, the amazing life of the flamingo is going to be changed. Many scientists predict the Earth will change very much thousands and thousands of years into the future. Right now, North and South America are nearly touching and there is land connecting the two. That connecting area is roughly where most flamingos live. In the future, North and South America slowly start to drift away from each other. Also, parts of South America start to disappear, getting rid of the majority of the flamingos' home!
The flamingos are very cramped, and they now have to share their land with many other animals because of the loss of land. Some flamingos are forced out of their home and into the ocean. They have to learn to adapt to the new water environment they were forced into. Over a long period of time, the flamingos grow a tail! It's the perfect adaption. They already lived on the beach and ate sea creatures, so the ocean is a perfect safe haven from their ferocious land predators.
That takes care of half the population... But what about the other half? These birds only have a small chunk of land to call their own and other animals are trying to take it! Slowly, these birds adapt to help them fight for their land. Eventually, fangs protrude from their sharp beaks and claws poke out from their webbed feet. Their S-shaped necks become even more flexible for better attack range. No animals dare mess with these dangerous creatures now!
Two new species will be created from the change of the world. Because these now united birds will live in two different worlds, one of land and one of water, they will no longer be able reproduce with the other, only with their own kind.
Works Cited
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"SeaWorld Theme Parks in Orlando, San Antonio and San Diego." SeaWorld Theme Parks in Orlando, San Antonio and San Diego. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Jan. 2015.