Why does migration help animals survive

The aforementioned Arctic tern is a perfect example of such a bird. Due to its migration, the bird gets to experience two summers in a year instead of one. Another common reason is a decrease in food levels. A perfect example is the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti.

During seasons when food is scarce on one side, the animals begin moving to greener pastures in other places. Along the way, the direction may alter depending on where it is raining, which is where food will be in abundance. By doing this, they make sure that they give time for the land they left behind to recover so that it will be able to provide food when the herds return.

Food is linked to reproduction since most animal species will migrate to breed in places where there is enough food for the survival of their offspring. Experts in the field are still not sure how animals know the right directions although a few theories have been suggested. One such theory states that animals use landmarks to tell the direction. Examples of such landmarks include rivers and lakes.

Other scientists have suggested that the sun and the stars are used in determining the direction. The acute sense of smell of some animals may also be how the animals determine the proper course while others use the magnetic field of the earth.

A large flock of migrating birds. Then have each group read their list of reasons. Judge whether or not each reason is valid. If another group has the same reason, have all groups cross it off the list.

Each group gets one point per reason that no other group wrote. After all three groups have read their reasons, tally the points. Animal migration is the large-scale movement of a species from one place to another. Most species migrate during specific seasons, in search of food or water, or for mating reasons. The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit.

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If no button appears, you cannot download or save the media. Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service. Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. You cannot download interactives. Others, such as the monarch butterfly Sanaus plexippus and Arctic tern Sterna paradisaea , migrate.

Animals have adapted to migrate based on seasonal or geographic variations. They develop really fluffy feathers and look super cute. They will prepare well by storing food and then they will eventually seal the openings to their hideouts.

When you dig yourself into the ground the temperature will stay well above the freezing point. This enables the tiny ants to survive. But they have to stay together in large groups in order to keep warm.

Safety in numbers, as they say! She must be kept alive at all cost. After all, she is responsible for carrying the eggs for the next generation, and without her the ants will die in a matter of months. Some animals will finish off before the winter by laying eggs. And then they will prepare themselves to die. In the late fall, they will lay eggs on the ground, under the tree or stone where they can find a little shelter. The eggs will hatch in the spring and then we have a new set of insects.

Take for example the Moth caterpillar. It has a very peculiar and interesting strategy for surviving the cold months. It develops alcohol inside its body to be able to stay alive at freezing temperatures. Sources: nhpbs. Skip to content A lot of animals will migrate south or to another part of the world when winter approaches. Some animals wander down from the mountains to warmer weather while others will fly south. But there are a lot more interesting things to say about animal migration.

We will also look at other ways animal prepare for surviving the cold winter months Table of Contents. If you are impressed that birds know exactly when to fly south the bear should make you more impressed. They will start eating much more food in the months leading up to hibernation. So they actually feel the winter coming before the weather starts to turn cold! Was this article helpful? Click to share Q: How does migration help animals survive?

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