How do hurricanes affect plants and animals?

Hurricanes can cause tree loss, and if enough damage is done, many nesting sites and food sources for birds and mammals are destroyed. Even if animals are able to escape injury from a hurricane, they are often forced into environments they are not used to, becoming disoriented.

Why do hurricanes typically weaken over land?

Hurricanes may lose strength over land because of cool temperatures, a lack of moisture, and/or friction. Hurricanes form over low pressure regions with warm temperatures over large bodies of water. The warm temperature causes the ocean water to evaporate. The moisture is what fuels a hurricane.