Birds:
* Seabirds: These include albatrosses, penguins, gulls, and many others. They often ingest oil when preening their feathers, which disrupts their natural waterproofing and causes them to become cold, hypothermic, and drown.
* Shorebirds: Species like sandpipers and plovers are vulnerable when oil coats their feeding grounds, contaminating their food sources.
Mammals:
* Marine mammals: Whales, dolphins, seals, sea otters, and manatees are at risk. Oil can damage their skin and fur, making it difficult to regulate body temperature. They can also inhale toxic fumes, suffer internal damage, and be poisoned by ingesting contaminated food.
* Land mammals: Coastal animals like otters, beavers, and muskrats can be affected by oil spills reaching their habitats.
Fish:
* Fish: Oil spills can poison fish directly and contaminate their eggs, larvae, and food sources. It can also suffocate them by coating their gills.
Invertebrates:
* Crustaceans: Crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and barnacles are particularly vulnerable. Oil can clog their gills, suffocate them, and contaminate their food.
* Mollusks: Oysters, clams, and mussels are at risk due to oil contaminating their shells and filters, making them unfit for consumption.
Other creatures:
* Coral reefs: Oil spills can smother coral reefs, killing the coral polyps and disrupting the delicate ecosystem.
* Sea turtles: Like birds, sea turtles can be affected by oil ingestion and skin damage, leading to death or long-term health problems.
It's important to remember: The specific animals affected by an oil spill depend on the location, size, and type of oil spilled. However, the above groups are consistently vulnerable to these disasters.