15 Greatest Mammal Migrations in the World
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AnimalsTranscript
00:00When it comes to survival, some animals go to extreme lengths, boarding on migrations
00:07that push them to their limits.
00:10These journeys are filled with challenges, harsh weather, predators, and exhausting distances.
00:18For many, these migrations are a matter of life and death, with some never making it
00:25to the end.
00:27Imagine traveling thousands of miles with no map, no rest stops, and danger around every
00:33corner.
00:34That's what these animals do every year just to survive.
00:40Welcome back to another amazing episode of Forever Green.
00:44Today, we'll show you 15 of the most impressive migrations in the animal kingdom.
00:51From crabs crossing roads to ocean giants that travel up to 14,000 miles annually, these
00:58incredible migrations highlight the determination and resilience of animals in their fight to
01:05survive.
01:06The best part?
01:07You'll learn some fun facts about each traveler.
01:10So get ready, click subscribe, and let's dive in.
01:1315.
01:16Christmas Island Red Crabs The annual migration of the Christmas Island
01:21Red Crabs is not just a local sight, but a phenomenal natural event known worldwide.
01:29Each year, as the wet season begins around October or November, triggered by the first
01:35significant rainfall, tens of millions of red crabs begin their synchronized journey
01:42from the forest to the coast.
01:44This migration is crucial for their reproduction cycle.
01:49These crabs spend most of their lives in the moist, shady forests of Christmas Island,
01:56but must return to the ocean to breed.
01:58The migration starts when adult crabs are cued by hormonal changes linked to the lunar
02:04cycle and rainfall, ensuring the tides will be optimal for spawning.
02:10The females release their eggs into the sea, timing it perfectly with the turn of the high
02:15tide to maximize the survival chances of their larvae.
02:20The spectacle of red crabs swarming over the island is so overwhelming that local authorities
02:27often close roads to protect the crabs from vehicle traffic.
02:32Special bridges and tunnels have also been constructed to aid their passage.
02:38The return journey for the surviving crabs, now considerably fewer in number, happens
02:44after the eggs have been released, leading them back to their forest homes.
02:4914.
02:51Caribou
02:52Caribou, also known as reindeer in some parts of the world, are record holders for the longest
02:59land migration of any terrestrial mammal in North America.
03:05These hardy animals can travel more than 838 miles each year, a distance that has been
03:11revised down from previously estimated 3,000 miles due to better tracking and the impacts
03:18of climate change.
03:20The migration of caribou is a spectacular sight, with herds sometime numbering nearly
03:26200,000 individuals, reminiscent of the great wildebeest migrations in Africa.
03:34Their migration is driven by the seasonal availability of food and breeding conditions.
03:40In winter, caribou move to forested areas where they can more easily dig through snow
03:46to find lichen and other vegetation.
03:49When summer arrives, they head to open tundra, which offers optimal conditions for calving
03:56due to fewer predators and an abundance of food for nursing mothers.
04:01If you liked this video so far, leave a like and you can also check out when 100 Hippos
04:07Messed With The Wrong Elephant on our channel, Forever Green.
04:1313.
04:15Wildebeest
04:17The migration of the wildebeest across the plains of Tanzania and Kenya, known as the
04:23Great Migration, is perhaps the most iconic wildlife journey in the world.
04:30Each year, over a million wildebeest are driven by the same ancient rhythm to seek out fresh
04:37grasslands and water.
04:39The journey starts in the southern Serengeti of Tanzania and moves northward to the lush
04:45plains of the Maasai Mara in Kenya before looping back.
04:49The scale of this migration is massive, involving not just wildebeest but also hundreds of thousands
04:57of other animals, including zebras and gazelles.
05:01The movement is triggered by the rainfall patterns, which dictate the availability of
05:06grazing land.
05:08The path they traverse is fraught with danger, rivers along the way are home to crocodiles
05:14waiting for an opportunity to strike, and predators like lions, hyenas, and leopards
05:20are frequent threats on land.
05:23Despite the threats they face, including drowning, predation, starvation, and disease, this epic
05:30journey is essential for the renewal of the grasslands and the survival of countless other
05:37species.
05:3912.
05:41Bats
05:43Not all bats hibernate, some migrate.
05:47Among the many species of bats, only some are migratory, but those that do migrate provide
05:54a breathtaking natural spectacle.
05:57The straw-colored fruit bats of Zambia are particularly noteworthy for their dramatic
06:03migration patterns.
06:05Each year, an astonishing number of these bats, estimated to be around 10 million, converge
06:12on Kasanka National Park.
06:15This migration is timed with the onset of the rainy season, where their preferred fruits
06:20begin to ripen in the Mushitsu Swamp forests.
06:24These fruits are crucial for the bats, as they provide a rich source of food that allows
06:29them to consume up to twice their body weight every night.
06:34This intense feeding is vital not just for their survival, but also for sustaining their
06:40long journeys across Africa.
06:43It is particularly important for pregnant females, who need extra nutrition to support
06:49their developing young.
06:50The sight of millions of bats filling the sky is not only a wonder of nature, but also
06:57plays a significant role in the ecosystem.
07:0111.
07:03Baleen Whales
07:05Baleen whales, including the colossal grey whale, undertake one of the longest migrations
07:12in the animal world.
07:14These magnificent marine mammals travel annually up to 14,000 miles round trip.
07:22Their migration is motivated by the need to find the best conditions for breeding and
07:28feeding.
07:29During the winter months, Baleen whales migrate to the warmer tropical waters to mate and
07:35give birth.
07:36This warmer environment is ideal for their young, providing protection from the harsh
07:42conditions of their feeding grounds and a higher likelihood of survival in gentler seas.
07:48After the breeding season, these whales board on a long journey back to the colder waters
07:53of the Arctic or Antarctic.
07:56These polar regions are rich in nutrients and offer an abundant supply of krill and
08:02small fish, essential for the whales to build up their energy reserves.
08:07However, climate change is having a significant impact on these migrations.
08:13Rising ocean temperatures are affecting the availability of food in their feeding grounds
08:19and altering the timing of their travel.
08:2310.
08:25Birds
08:27From tiny hummingbirds to majestic eagles, many birds undertake hard journeys.
08:34Bird migration is a global phenomenon that includes approximately 4,000 species that
08:40migrate regularly.
08:42These migrations vary tremendously in length, destination, and purpose, primarily revolving
08:49around the pursuit of food and optimal nesting sites.
08:53The Arctic turn holds the record for the longest migration of any bird, and arguably any animal,
09:01with an annual round-trip of about 55,923 miles between the Arctic and Antarctic.
09:11This extraordinary journey ensures that the turn lives in an endless summer, taking advantage
09:17of the rich feeding grounds in the polar regions.
09:21Another remarkable aviator is the bar-tailed godwit, which has the longest non-stop flight
09:28among birds, covering 6,835 miles in nine days without a break.
09:36It flies from New Zealand to its feeding grounds in China, navigating and sustaining itself
09:43over vast ocean expanses.
09:46Birds use a variety of navigational aids, including the sun, stars, Earth's magnetic
09:54field, and visual landmarks, to find their way across continents and oceans.
10:019.
10:03Sea turtles Imagine being born on a beach and then having
10:08to find your way back decades later to lay your eggs.
10:14That's the life of sea turtles who travel thousands of miles across oceans.
10:20These migrations are crucial for their development and reproduction, and they are famed for their
10:26ability to navigate back to their birthplace to spawn.
10:31Leatherback turtles, for instance, are capable of traveling over 10,000 miles between their
10:37feeding grounds in the jellyfish-rich waters of Indonesia to their breeding grounds along
10:43the west coast of the United States and Canada.
10:47This journey not only highlights their endurance, but also their remarkable navigational skills,
10:54which remain not fully understood by scientists.
10:58They utilize the Earth's magnetic field as a compass, a skill that helps them return
11:04to the exact beach where they were born.
11:07One of the most celebrated sea turtles is Yoshi, a loggerhead turtle who traveled approximately
11:1322,000 miles after being released from the Two Oceans Aquarium in South Africa.
11:20Yoshi's journey is one of the longest recorded for any sea turtle, taking her across oceans
11:26over two years back to the Australian coast, close to where she was originally found.
11:338.
11:35Monarch butterflies The monarch butterfly's migration is one
11:40of the most visually striking and scientifically intriguing phenomena in the natural world.
11:48Covering a distance of about 3,000 miles, the migration of these vibrant insects is
11:54a multi-generational journey that spans from the northern regions of North America down
12:00to the warmer climates of Mexico and California.
12:04Remarkably, the monarch migration involves three to four different generations.
12:11The butterflies that start the journey are not the same ones that complete it.
12:17Instead, their descendants continue the journey.
12:21This unique aspect of their migration cycle is crucial for their survival, as it allows
12:26them to escape the cold northern winter.
12:30During this journey, the farthest a monarch has been recorded to travel in a single day
12:35is an impressive 265 miles.
12:40Monarchs are also found in Australia and New Zealand where they are known as wanderer butterflies.
12:47In these regions, the butterflies can live year-round without the need to migrate such
12:53long distances.
12:557.
12:57Dragonflies Dragonflies exhibit one of the most amazing
13:02migratory behaviors among insects.
13:06Before 2009, the extent of their journey was largely unknown.
13:13Research has now revealed that certain dragonflies, such as those found in India, embark on a
13:18migration that covers between 14,000 and 18,000 kilometers annually.
13:26This route extends from India across the Indian Ocean to the Maldives, Seychelles,
13:32and down to Mozambique and Uganda, then back.
13:36This migration involves multiple generations, with each taking part in different segments
13:42of the journey, akin to a relay race.
13:46These dragonflies seem to chase the seasonal rains which dictate the availability of their
13:51food sources.
13:53They time their movements with the onset of the moonshine in India and follow the rainfall
13:58as it progresses through eastern and southern Africa.
14:02Their ability to travel such long distances over open ocean waters, particularly noted
14:09in one species flying over 4,400 miles, is a feat of endurance and navigation.
14:176.
14:20Salmon are known for their incredible migratory patterns, which see them traveling hundreds,
14:28sometimes thousands of miles back to their native spawning grounds.
14:33These fish begin their lives in freshwater rivers, migrate to the ocean, and then return
14:39to freshwater to reproduce.
14:42During this return, they can travel up to 1,000 miles in the ocean and ascend high
14:49mountain streams.
14:51Navigation during these migrations is primarily guided by the Earth's magnetic field, which
14:57acts like a built-in compass.
14:59As they approach their spawning areas, salmon switch to using their highly developed sense
15:04of smell to recognize the specific waters where they were born.
15:10Young salmon imprint on the scent of their native stream as they head to the ocean, which
15:16later guides them back to the exact spot for spawning.
15:21Salmon's life cycle and migration are fraught with danger as they face numerous predators
15:27both in the ocean and inland waters.
15:31Talking about fishes, you can also check out our video on Top 10 Largest Fish Alive on
15:38Planet Earth.
15:405.
15:42Zoo Plankton
15:44When the smallest creatures undertake migrations, despite their small size, they undertake one
15:51of the most intense migrations in the natural world, known as diel vertical migration.
15:58Unlike the long-distance travels of many animals, zoo plankton migrate vertically in the water
16:04column.
16:06Every day as daylight fades, masses of zoo plankton begin their ascent from the deep
16:12waters, where they hide during daylight hours to avoid predators.
16:17They travel upwards to feed on the surface's nutrient-rich waters at night.
16:22Before dawn, they descend back into the depths, traveling up to 3,000 feet daily.
16:30This massive, coordinated movement involves countless numbers of these tiny creatures
16:36and is considered one of the largest movements of biomass on Earth, potentially rivaling
16:42even the daily commute of humans.
16:45This vertical migration is critical for their survival, allowing them to feed in the rich
16:50surface waters under the cover of darkness while minimizing the risk of being eaten by
16:56larger predators that thrive in light.
17:014.
17:02Tuna
17:04Tuna is some of the ocean's most impressive migrators and among the fastest swimmers.
17:11These fish are known for their incredible long-distance journeys across oceans, which
17:17are essential for feeding and breeding.
17:20For example, Pacific bluefin tuna are known to travel over 5,000 miles from their spawning
17:27grounds in Japan to the waters off California, and they may make this journey several times
17:34throughout their lives.
17:36Tuna migrations are so extensive that they pose significant challenges for conservation
17:42efforts.
17:44Because they travel and live across such vast and international waters, it's difficult
17:49to protect them adequately from overfishing.
17:53The various species of tuna are at different levels of concern regarding their conservation
17:58status.
17:59While the Atlantic bluefin tuna is currently listed as least concern, the Southern bluefin
18:05is endangered and the Pacific bluefin is near threatened.
18:10Skipjack tuna, on the other hand, maintains a stable population.
18:163.
18:18Penguins
18:19When we think of migration, flying birds often come to mind, but penguins demonstrate that
18:26not all avian migrations happen in the sky.
18:30These charming creatures are adept swimmers, and their migrations are often a mix of long
18:37swims through icy waters and difficult treks across rugged landscapes.
18:43Adelaide penguins, for example, are known for their extensive migratory journeys.
18:50Researchers have recorded one such penguin traveling over 10,936 miles in a year.
18:58This incredible distance is covered as they search for food and safe breeding sites.
19:05The need to migrate is often intensified by climate change, which affects the availability
19:11of their primary food source, krill, and alters their icy habitat.
19:17Migrating devices have provided invaluable data on their movements, helping scientists
19:23understand how changes in the environment impact their migration patterns.
19:292.
19:31Sharks
19:33Sharks exhibit some of the most fascinating migratory patterns in the marine world, with
19:39some species traveling thousands of miles through open waters every year.
19:45These migrations are primarily driven by the search for food, suitable breeding grounds,
19:51or warmer waters.
19:53The great white shark, for instance, is known for its impressive long-distance travels.
19:59Some great whites have been tracked moving between South Africa and Australia, covering
20:04vast distances across the Indian Ocean within a single year.
20:10The whale shark, the largest fish in the sea, undertakes even longer migrations, with one
20:17documented journey stretching about 12,000 miles.
20:22These gentle giants migrate between the eastern Pacific and western Indo-Pacific, complicating
20:29conservation efforts due to the multiple jurisdictions involved.
20:34Their migration is crucial for their survival, but tracking and protecting them across such
20:40expansive areas present significant challenges.
20:45Moreover, climate change is impacting shark migrations as well.
20:50Warmer waters mean that some species, which typically migrate to find suitable temperatures,
20:57might remain in certain areas longer or skip their usual migrations altogether.
21:041.
21:06SEALS
21:08Seals are remarkable creatures known for their extensive migrations across the oceans.
21:15These migrations are primarily driven by the need to find abundant food sources and suitable
21:21breeding or molting sites.
21:24Purr seals, for instance, are capable of swimming immense distances each year, roughly the equivalent
21:31of a quarter of the way around the world.
21:35This incredible journey is undertaken to access rich feeding areas that provide the necessary
21:41nutrients to sustain their energy-intensive lifestyles.
21:45On the other hand, elephant seals take these long-distance travels even further.
21:52Bull elephant seals are known to migrate at least 13,000 miles annually.
21:58They spend about 250 days at sea each year, navigating vast oceanic expanses.
22:07Female elephant seals spend even more time at sea, roughly 300 days annually.
22:14This extensive time spent in the ocean is split between two major migrations, one following
22:21the breeding season and another following the molting season.
22:26And that's it for today!
22:28Thank you so much for watching!
22:30Don't forget to like, subscribe, and stay tuned for more captivating adventures from
22:36Forever Green!