Every person tries to create the best living conditions for themselves, and if they are not satisfied with something, they are able to change everything: their job, their home, their city, even their country. Something similar happens in the animal world.
What is animal migration?
Animal migration is one of the most amazing natural phenomena. Due to the constant movement of animals “back and forth”, their living environments that are spatially distant from each other constantly change.
Migration helps animals, fish, and birds to preserve their species and reproductive ability. Some animals migrate seasonally, such as birds, while others do so to complete their life cycle, such as Pacific salmon. The search for the most favorable living conditions is the main reason for the movement of these representatives of fauna.
Which animals undertake long migrations?
Sometimes, in search of better conditions, some animals are capable of covering hundreds or even thousands of kilometers. Such long journeys are mostly made by those who stick to herds:
- Hoofed animals (caribou, wildebeest)
- Sloths
- Cetaceans
- Bats
- Arctic Terns
- Salmon
- Monarch butterflies.
The main reasons for animal migration
Observing animal migration, scientists have identified five main reasons why they do it:
- Food. If the food supply (e.g. plants) in their habitat runs out, animals move to a different location. For example, during cold weather, birds may lack food as bodies of water freeze over, and they have to fly to warmer regions.
- Environmental deterioration. This can be caused by ecological disasters, food shortages, and overcrowding of individuals per square kilometer. For example, the “locust invasion” is capable of colonizing new territories in search of food.
- Reproduction. Many animals, amphibians, and fish migrate long distances to find similar living conditions to reproduce their species and provide offspring with enough food and comfortable conditions.
- Climate and daylight hours. Climatic zones, temperature regimes, and distance from the equator affect the diverse and qualitative food supply. Animals that can hibernate during a temperature drop tend to migrate to warmer areas. The length of daylight hours, affecting biorhythms, stabilizes the reproductive cycle. The amount of daylight can trigger the start of migration. For example, the moon phase affects the spawning outcome of the ruenion fish.
- Physiological changes. With the onset of spring, almost all creatures experience an increase in sexual activity, which forces them to begin migratory movements. In summer, birds replenish their fat reserves, allowing them to make long flights to warmer regions.
What is the range of animal migration
All animals capable of moving on water, land, or in the air always move somewhere, some for thousands of kilometers, while others only to a neighboring bay.
The Monarch butterfly has the longest migratory route among butterflies. It reaches 4000 km from North American territory to central Mexico or the California coast. Monarchs fly south in winter and return north in spring for their survival. Due to migration, they have developed adaptive characteristics, which allow their lifespan to reach 9 months, which is 12 times longer than their relatives.
The record for the longest migratory flight in the world belongs to Arctic Terns. Tracking devices have shown that these small birds travel over 80,000 km in a year. Their migratory route goes from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back, and they travel along several selected routes.
The landmarks for animals during migration include:
- familiar terrain;
- shining stars at night;
- the position of the sun;
- smell;
- currents.
Scientists study animal and bird migrations to always be prepared. Sometimes animals migrate with parasites, so it is necessary to take appropriate preventative measures. When planning flights, it is important to consider bird migration routes to avoid possible collisions.
Unfortunately, not all creatures survive during migration because it is a very difficult and exhausting process.
