25+ Animals That Migrate and Why

In popular culture, migration has often been reflected in sayings such as “On Saint Blaise’s Day, you will see the stork, and if you don’t, it will be a snowy year” or “On Saint John’s Day, the stork begins to fly.” These proverbs are based on traditional knowledge of bird migration and highlight how closely humans have observed this phenomenon throughout history.

Animal migration is one of nature’s most fascinating events. While storks are the most common symbol, many other animals also migrate, from fish to mammals and even insects. But why do they do it? Let’s take a closer look.

What Is Animal Migration?

Animal migration is the periodic movement of a population from its original habitat to another region where they stay for a specific time. It usually involves long distances and happens collectively, not individually.

Migration helps maintain ecological balance by linking departure, transit, and destination ecosystems.

• Birds often rely on trade winds and air currents.

• Amphibians and invertebrates may use water currents.

• Navigation: Many species orient themselves by the Sun, stars, or even Earth’s magnetic field—though scientists are still studying the exact mechanisms.

Why Do Animals Migrate?

Migration is primarily an instinctive survival strategy. The main reasons include:

1. Temperature Changes

• Animals leave habitats that are too cold in winter or too hot in summer.

• Example: Birds flying to warmer regions during winter.

2. Reproduction and Food Search

• Many animals migrate to breed in safer environments or to find food in less competitive areas.

3. Avoiding Predators

• Some species migrate to escape regions where predators are abundant and survival is difficult.

Examples of Migratory Animals

1. Birds

Birds are the most iconic migratory animals, often covering thousands of kilometers.

• White stork (Ciconia ciconia): Migrates to Africa in winter, carefully avoiding the Mediterranean Sea because it relies on air currents over land.

• Canada goose (Branta canadensis): Famous for flying in V-shaped flocks, migrating to warmer areas with better food supply.

• Swallow (Hirundo rustica): Leaves Africa to breed in Europe during the summer.

• Shearwaters & Golden plovers: Can cover hundreds of kilometers daily during migration.

2. Fish

Fish migrations are mostly tied to breeding cycles:

• Salmon (Salmoninae): Spawn in freshwater rivers, migrate to the sea to grow, then return against the current to their birthplace to reproduce.

• European eel (Anguilla anguilla): Adults live in rivers but migrate to the Sargasso Sea to reproduce.

• Other species: Herring, cod, and plaice also migrate seasonally.

3. Mammals

Large mammals also migrate in search of food and water:

• Wildebeest (Connochaetes): Participate in Africa’s Great Migration, moving in massive herds across the savannah.

• Elephants (Elephantidae): Migrate seasonally to find water sources.

• Zebras (Equus zebra) and antelopes (Antilope cervicapra): Travel alongside wildebeest in East Africa.

• Caribou (Rangifer tarandus): Migrate thousands of kilometers across the Arctic tundra.

• Whales: Such as humpback whales, right whales, and gray whales, which travel up to 20,000 km between feeding and breeding grounds.

4. Reptiles and Amphibians

• Sea turtles

• Green turtle (Chelonia mydas): Travels from Brazil to Ascension Island to lay eggs.

• Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea): Performs the longest migrations, exceeding 4,800 km.

• Other examples: Loggerhead, olive ridley, and Kemp’s ridley turtles.

• Amphibians

• Toads, frogs, salamanders, and newts: Migrate annually from hibernation sites to ponds and rivers to reproduce.

5. Invertebrates

Often overlooked, invertebrate migrations are also impressive:

• Plankton: Perform vertical migrations daily, rising at night to feed near the surface and sinking during the day to avoid predators.

• Crabs (Brachyura): Travel to saltwater to lay eggs, covering up to 240 km.

• Locusts (Palinurus elephas): Move in massive swarms, often devastating crops.

• Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus): Migrates over 5,000 km from Canada and the U.S. to Mexico, crossing multiple generations.

• Dragonflies (Pantala flavescens): Known for the longest insect migration, traveling 15,000 km between India and Africa.

Conclusion

Animal migration is a vital and ancient natural phenomenon driven by the need for survival, reproduction, and ecological balance. From the synchronized flights of birds to the epic journeys of whales and even the microscopic movements of plankton, migrations shape ecosystems across the planet.

Protecting migratory species and their routes is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and the health of global ecosystems.

animal tags： animals that migrate