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The Mystery of Animal Migration: Why Do They Travel Thousands of Miles?
Migration is a fascinating phenomenon in the animal kingdom. Many species embark on journeys spanning thousands of miles in order to adapt to seasonal changes, find food, reproduce and other reasons. This behavior not only makes scientists curious, but also triggers countless people to think about the mysteries of life.
Animal migration is the most common form of migration in ecology, and it can be found in almost all animal groups.
According to the ecological definition, animal migration is relatively long-distance movement, usually seasonal. This includes birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, insects and crustaceans. Migration can be driven by local climate changes, changes in food availability, seasonal changes, or the need to reproduce.
Types of migration
How and why migration varies from species to species, making it difficult to have a unified definition. According to the definition of animal behaviorist J.S. Kennedy, migratory behavior is the continuous and orderly movement of an animal's self-motion and relies on some situation that temporarily inhibits its settlement response.
Seasonal migration
Many species migrate seasonally due to resource availability. Pacific salmon, for example, swim back to their breeding grounds each year to breed, and when winter comes, many birds migrate to warmer areas to escape harsh environmental conditions.
Diurnal migration
In addition to seasonal migration, some aquatic animals also perform diurnal migration, traveling up and down the water column every day. Therefore, the different migration patterns of organisms provide scientists with a deeper understanding of the relationship between their behavior and their environment.
Migration of different species
Among the birds, about 1,800 species out of 10,000 choose to migrate long distances, usually between the North and South Poles. The Arctic tern is the longest migratory bird, traveling 19,000 kilometers to and from the pole every year.
The migration of these birds is often affected by day length, and the birds' internal hormonal changes also play an important role.
Among fish, while most fish stay within one geographical area, about 120 fish species migrate long distances, such as salmon, which migrate between saltwater and freshwater. Generally speaking, the migratory behavior of these fishes is closely related to reproduction and feeding.
The great migration of insects
In the insect world, some winged insects such as locusts and certain butterflies can also migrate long distances. Take the famous monarch butterfly as an example. Although a single butterfly will not complete the entire migration, they will reproduce during the journey, and their offspring will continue to fly.
Scientific tracking of migration
Scientists collect migration observations by tracking the movements of animals. Traditionally, identification tags such as bird rings have been used for tracking, but this method has certain limitations. However, the use of electronic tracking devices such as GPS or Argo transmission equipment has made the whereabouts of these animals clearer.
Culture and Myth
Before animal migration was understood, humans used a variety of folklore to explain the appearance or disappearance of birds. For example, Aristotle in ancient Greece believed that red-breasted finches turned into red-bellied cranes in the summer, while in medieval Europe some believed that shrike ducks grew from sea squirts on trees.
Animal migration is a fascinating natural phenomenon. It not only affects the balance of the ecosystem, but also makes us think deeply about the adaptability of life. As we learn more about biological knowledge, the migration of various creatures is still being unveiled. We can't help but ask: What principles of life will the secrets of these animal migrations teach us?
