This talk will describe a set of mechanistic microclimate and animal computer models, Niche Mapperâ„¢, that have been extensively lab and field tested for representative amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals and a disease bearing mosquito. The models operate at local and landscape scales. The models use principles from heat and mass transfer engineering, morphology, physiology and behavior to calculate food and water requirements, potential for growth and reproduction, activity patterns, landscape utilization and movement patterns and distribution limits. Lately the models have been used to calculate impacts of climate change and the consequences of evolutionary change that modify distribution limits. The models are now being modified to accommodate marine organisms like the leatherback sea turtle. Dr. Porter will describe new state-of-the-art technologies for defining the morphology and animating it to study how climate change will alter their potential distribution.