Some animals migrate over long distances to find food, escape unfavorable weather conditions, or reproduce in more suitable locations.
For many animals, migrating simply allows them to survive. By moving, they find elsewhere what they no longer have at home: food, a more suitable climate, or a safe place to have their young. For example, some species follow the seasons each year and seek areas with tolerable temperatures or abundant resources. Migration is primarily driven by their internal biological clock. This clock triggers departure at a specific moment, linked to changes in day length or certain hormonal signals, clearly instructing them: "it's time to go." Some birds even accumulate enough bodily reserves to sustain their journey, reserves that serve as natural fuel for these long adventures. In short, migrating is not a whim, but a vital strategy encoded in their DNA to ensure their survival and that of their species.
Weather and climate play a central role: a drop in temperature or an extended dry period often triggers migration. For example, many birds head to warmer areas in winter to avoid the cold that reduces their chances of survival. Seasonal changes in daylight hours (photoperiod) also prompt some animals to move, acting as a sort of biological signal telling them "it's time to leave." For aquatic animals like salmon, ocean currents and variations in water temperature generally guide their long journeys. In short, when conditions become harsh or risky in one location, some animals naturally choose to move rather than remain trapped there.
Migration is often a matter of survival: animals leave to seek a better feeding ground and a more welcoming shelter. Many species move over great distances to find places with more food abundance. For example, wildebeests travel hundreds of kilometers following the rains, simply because the fresh grass they thrive on grows where the water falls. Similarly, some birds leave their area as soon as food starts to run low or becomes too difficult to find.
Finding a habitat that suits them better is crucial at certain times of the year. When winter or the dry season arrives, many animals must move to avoid running out of food or seeing their usual habitat become uninhabitable. They instinctively follow a specific route to areas they know are more favorable for their survival.
For many animals, migrating far is an effective strategy to find favorable conditions for breeding. For example, some birds like the arctic terns travel thousands of kilometers each year to nest far to the north, taking advantage of long summer days, fewer predators, and more food for their chicks. The humpback whales, on the other hand, traverse entire oceans to reach warm tropical waters where their babies will have a better chance of survival. Essentially, making these long journeys may seem exhausting, but for many species, it is essential to ensure the best chance of survival for their offspring.
During their long journeys, migratory animals encounter all sorts of hardships. Many must cross unknown regions, increasing the risk of predation or exhaustion. Some birds even go so far as to cross entire oceans without resting—imagine the pressure! Weather conditions also play a huge role: unpredictable storms, extreme cold, or headwinds can quickly turn the journey into a true survival challenge. The lack of rest and the enormous distances to cover often lead to energy exhaustion, leaving little margin for unexpected events. And of course, humans complicate things further with their constructions, such as buildings, wind turbines, or electrical installations, increasing the risks of accidental collisions. On top of that, there is the gradual loss of essential migratory stopovers for their rest and resupply, leading to an increasing danger for many migratory species.
Some species of butterflies, such as the monarch, undertake migrations that can reach nearly 5,000 kilometers despite their apparent fragility and very short lifespan.
Southern right whales migrate thousands of kilometers each year, leaving the cold waters where they feed to move to warmer waters to give birth to their calves in optimal conditions.
Researchers have demonstrated that some migratory birds navigate by using the Earth's magnetic field, stars, and even scents to precisely return to the same nesting sites each year.
The Arctic tern holds the record for the longest migration in the animal kingdom: it travels about 70,000 kilometers each year between the Arctic and Antarctica!
Animals use a combination of factors to navigate during migrations: the position of the sun, the polarization of light, ocean currents, stars, the Earth's magnetic field, familiar geographical features, and even their highly developed sense of smell in certain species. Each animal has a specific combination of orientation tools depending on its species and environment.
Sure! Here’s the translation: "No, animal migration can be annual, but some species only move when food resources or environmental conditions become unfavorable. For example, some migratory birds make regular seasonal journeys, while certain populations of insects or mammals migrate occasionally when necessary."
During their long migrations, animals can encounter numerous risks, such as exhaustion, hunger due to food shortages, predators, diseases, extreme weather conditions, obstacles created by humans (roads, buildings, fences), and sometimes the imbalance or loss of their usual environmental landmarks, putting their survival in jeopardy.
Yes, climate change is disrupting the migratory patterns of many animal species. It alters the optimal migration periods, disrupts the availability of food resources and suitable habitats, and forces some animals to travel longer distances or adopt new migratory routes to compensate for changes in their environment.
Among the animals famous for their long migrations are the humpback whale, the monarch butterfly, the wildebeests of Africa, the swallows, the salmon, and the sea turtles. These species travel thousands of kilometers each year in search of resources, to reproduce, or to escape from harsh weather conditions.
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