Top 10 Animal Migration Journeys
Migration is one of the most incredible phenomena. Many species go on long journeys, often spanning thousands of miles, to find food, breed or escape harsh climates. Join us as we explore the top 10 most amazing animal migration journeys.
1. Arctic Tern
The Arctic tern holds the record for the longest migration of any animal. These small seabirds travel from their breeding grounds in the Arctic to their wintering grounds in Antarctica. This covers 25,000 miles round trip each year! This journey lets them enjoy continuous daylight during the summer months at both poles.
2. Monarch Butterfly
Monarch butterflies go on a multi-generational migration from North America to central Mexico. Each fall, millions of monarchs travel up to 3,000 miles to reach their wintering sites. In the spring, the journey northward begins, with generations completing the trip back to their breeding grounds.
3. Wildebeest
The great wildebeest migration is one of Africa’s most spectacular wildlife events. Over 1.5 million wildebeest, accompanied by zebras and gazelles, travel in a continuous loop between Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara in search of fresh grazing lands.
4. Humpback Whale
Humpback whales go on long migrations from their feeding grounds in polar regions to their breeding grounds in tropical waters. They travel up to 6,000 miles each way, making it one of the longest migrations of any mammal. During the winter, they give birth and mate in warm waters, before returning to colder seas to feed.
5. Caribou
Caribou, also known as reindeer, migrate long distances across the Arctic tundra. Some herds travel up to 3,000 miles annually. They move between their wintering grounds in the boreal forests and their calving grounds on the Arctic coastal plains. They travel in search of food and to avoid predators.
6. Sockeye Salmon
Sockeye salmon migrate from the ocean back to the freshwater streams where they were born. After spending seven years at sea, they travel up to 1,000 miles upstream! Going through rapids and waterfalls to arrive at their spawning grounds. Furthermore, this journey is a continuation of their species.
7. Bar-Tailed Godwit
The bar-tailed godwit makes the longest non-stop flight of any bird! They travel from Alaska to New Zealand. These shorebirds use their endurance and fat reserves to complete this long journey without stopping to rest or feed. in just eight days, this journey covers around 7,000 miles!
8. Leatherback Turtle
Leatherback turtles migrate across entire ocean basins, from their nesting beaches in the tropics to their feeding grounds in the cooler waters of the Arctic and Antarctic. These turtles can travel over 10,000 miles annually. They cover ground using the Earth’s magnetic field and the position of the sun!
9. Elephant Seals
Northern elephant seals travel from their breeding beaches in California and Mexico to their feeding areas in the North Pacific. They travel up to 13,000 miles round trip each year.
10. Dragonflies
The globe skimmer dragonfly (Pantala flavescens) migrates across the Indian Ocean, covering a distance of around 11,000 miles. This tiny insect’s journey is the longest migration of any insect and they depend on winds to cross these ocean distances.
Bottom Line
Overall, these migration journeys show us the amazing endurance and adaptability of nature. From the epic flights of the Arctic tern to the river crossings of the wildebeest, their journeys not only keep them alive but also highlight the interconnectedness of ecosystems across the world.
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