Why and when do animals migrate?
At certain times of the year, some animals travel from one place to another. This is migration.
In this article you can learn:
- Why animals migrate
- When animals migrate
- How migration connect to the seasons
- Examples of animals that migrate
This resource is suitable for weather and animal topics for primary school learners.
Why do animals migrate?
Animals Many animals, like birds or fish, move from one place to another at certain times of the year. Some animals migrate because the weather is too hot, too cold, too wet, or too dry during certain times of the year. for a number of reasons, such as:
- they can't get enough food
- to avoid harsh weather conditions, like freezing cold winters
- to find water - because their water source might have frozen in colder temperatures
- their Where an animal or plant lives. has become overcrowded
- to find a safe place to give birth or lay eggs
When do animals migrate?
Migration can happen around the world at any time. But it's most common for animals to migrate when the seasons and weather conditions change. For example:
- Swallows and sand martins leave the UK at the end of our summer. They fly south to find food.
- Some species of geese and swan come to the UK in autumn. They can find food more easily in the UK compared to the harsher winter conditions of the Arctic where they spend the rest of the year.
- In the UK, pipistrelle bats migrate in autumn from the north to spend winter in the warmer south-west.
- In spring, the painted lady butterfly migrates from North Africa to the UK. It returns to North Africa in autumn to lay its eggs.
- In Africa, wildebeest migrate for hundreds of miles through Tanzania and Kenya following the seasonal rains. The wildebeest move to to rainier places where there is more grass for them to eat.
Question
Can you find some more examples of animals that migrate from one place to another?
Is all migration seasonal?
No, not all animals migrate with the seasons.
Wild Atlantic salmon migration
- For example, wild Atlantic salmon hatch in rivers and migrate to the sea when they become adults.
- They spend most of their life at sea. When they are ready to When animal mate to produce their offspring (babies). and lay their The eggs of aquatic animals, like fish and amphibians. .
- The salmon will Many animals, like birds or fish, move from one place to another at certain times of the year. Some animals migrate because the weather is too hot, too cold, too wet, or too dry during certain times of the year. from the ocean to the same river or stream where they were hatched.
More about seasons
Migration is often seasonal. Learn more about the seasons and how they affect the world around us.
What is hibernation? revision-guide
Some animal hibernate to protect themselves from harsh winter weather conditions.
What are the seasons? revision-guide
Learn about the four seasons and how they affect the world around us.
How animals control their body temperature. revision-guide
Find out how animal behaviour helps them maintain their body temperature.
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