Australian oceans are too warm for crocodiles, according to a new study by researchers from the University of Queensland (UQ) who found that climate warming is linked to shorter dives, which puts these saltwater creatures at risk. Marine animals are altering their diets and natural habitat range as a result of climate change. For instance, melting sea ice is opening new waters to humpback and fin whales, which could lead to increased food competition among the areas' native species. Arctic Warming Opens Waters To More Whales, Increasing Food Competition In a look at several kinds of coral worldwide, the coral that contained more fat withstood warming water and climate-change events better. Fat Coral Survives Climate Change? Melting Arctic ice means natural underground permafrost freezers can no longer keep food cold enough and encourages polar bears to visit inland communities for longer periods of time. This calls for new and improved above ground polar bear-resistant food storage containers. Traditional Alaskan Ice Cellars Are Melting; Community Creates New Polar-Bear Resistant Containers Even corals adapted to warmer waters, such as those living along reefs in Kimberly Australia, are particularly vulnerable to climate change and increased rates of bleaching. Coral Bleaching: Reefs Adapted To Warm Waters Are Just As Threatened By Climate Change Warmer climates are yielding more female hatchlings, researchers explain in a new study. This could have serious impacts on the survival of struggling loggerhead sea turtle populations in Florida. Sea Turtles, Reproduction and Climate Change: Warmer Temperatures Impact Hatchlings Marine food chains may crumble in the wake of warming oceans and acidification, according to a global marine analysis. Even the slightest environmental change could have a much broader impact on a wider range of species than we realize. Climate Change May Destroy Global Food Chains, New Study Reveals Crocodilians include a variety of modern and ancient alligators, crocodiles and their relatives. A team of researchers recently examined how the diverse species responded to past climate changes and how they might cope in the future. Climate Change: Crocodilians Were Forced To Relocate Due To Cooling Temperatures "We thought that crocodiles, like many animals, would adjust to temperature changes so life continues," Professor Craig Franklin, one of the study researchers from UQ 's School of Biological Science, said in a news release. "However, we were surprised to find they had little capacity to compensate for water temperature changes and seemed to be hard-wired to operate at certain temperatures." On average, saltwater crocodiles spend 11 hours a day submerged under water so that they can rest and recover, engage in social interactions and avoid surface predators. However, they tend to take shorter dives when oceans exceed 31.5 degrees Celsius. "Crocodiles are ectothermic animals – where environmental temperatures strongly influence their body temperatures," Essie Rodgers, lead author of the study and a Ph.D. student, explained. The recent study exposed saltwater crocodiles to three different water temperature, each set to model and a different climate scenario: 28 degrees Celsius represented current summer, 31.5 degrees Celsius represented moderate climate warming, and 35 degrees Celsius reflected high climate warming. At each subsequent interval, researchers found the crocodiles were talking significantly shorter dives. "Their submergence times halved with every 3.5°C increase in water temperature," Rodgers added in the university's release. What's worse is air temperature can easily reach these temperatures, making nearby waters a crucial refuge for crocodiles looking to escape the heat and avoid becoming dehydrated. "We are not sure what this means, but it's likely that if the water is too hot, crocodiles might move to cooler regions, or will seek refuge in deep, cool water pockets to defend their dive times." Franklin concluded. Their findings were recently published in the journal Conservation Physiology.