Animal migration

Animal migration is the relatively long-distance movement of individuals, usually on a seasonal basis. It is found in all major animal groups, including birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and crustaceans. The trigger for the migration may be local climate, local availability of food, the season of the year or for mating reasons. To be counted as a true migration, and not just a local dispersal or irruption, the movement of the animals should be an annual or seasonal occurrence, such as birds migrating south for the winter; wildebeest migrating annually for seasonal grazing; or a major habitat change as part of their life, such as young Atlantic salmon leaving the river of their birth when they have reached a few inches in size.

Overview

Migration can take very different forms in different species, and as such there is no simple accepted definition of migration. One of the most commonly used definitions, proposed by Kennedy is

Migration encompasses four related concepts: persistent straight movement; relocation of an individual on a greater scale (both spatially and temporally) than its normal daily activities; seasonal ‘to-and-fro’ movement of a population between two areas; and movement leading to the redistribution of individuals within a population. Migration can be either obligate, meaning individuals must migrate, or facultative, meaning individuals can "choose" to migrate or not. Within a migratory species or even within a single population, often not all individuals migrate. Complete migration is when all individuals migrate, partial migration is when some individuals migrate while others do not, and differential migration is when the difference between migratory and non-migratory individuals is based on age or sex (for example).

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Latest News for: animal migration

Oregon’s spring Whale Watching Week returns. Here's how to see the migration

The Register Guard 21 Mar 2025
A hike on Cape Lookout leads to one of the Oregon Coast's best spots to spot migrating gray whales ... Gray whales make two annual migrations — one southbound to Baja in winter and another northbound to Alaska in spring.

Routt County Commissioners oppose oil and gas lease sale in letter to Bureau of Land Management

Steamboat Pilot 19 Mar 2025
“However, this plan is particularly important in this specific instance given the precipitous decline in populations that the Bears Ears’ elk and mule deer herds have incurred,” said ...

Movies playing in Southeast Michigan, new releases March 21

The Oakland Press 19 Mar 2025
Animation with Porky Pig and Daffy Duck ... Animated film about a meteorite falling at a zoo, unleashing a virus that turns zoo animals into zombies ... Third film in the “Paddington” live-action/animated film series ... Animated ... Anime film.

Fallon Theatre: Two films for the weekend, plus upcoming events

Nevada Appeal 18 Mar 2025
on Friday and Saturday for a captivating and beautifully animated journey with “Migration,” a heartwarming story about a young family of ducks migrating across vast and breathtaking landscapes.

Climate change and infectious diseases: A looming global health crisis

Mail Guardian South Africa 17 Mar 2025
“Disrupted access to food and water prompts both people and animals to migrate in search of these basic resources as well as new economic opportunities,” they said.

Skin Cells Create Neuron-Like Electric Signals

The Scientist 17 Mar 2025
Membrane potential of epithelial cells and bioelectric networks across tissues have emerged as crucial drivers of tissue morphogenesis and regeneration in animals like tadpoles, salamanders, and ...

Swallowed by the sea, Pakistan’s Indus delta now threatened by canals

Al Jazeera 17 Mar 2025
But his land, along with the rest of Haji Qadir Bux Sakani village, was swallowed by the sea, forcing him to migrate to Baghan, 15km (nine miles) from Dando Jetty, and turn to tailoring for survival.

How radicals used the internet to inspire lethal violence — until authorities took them down

Alternet 16 Mar 2025
Pete Simi, a sociology professor who studies extremism at Chapman University in Orange, California, said the incendiary ideas promoting race war and violence that animated the Terrorgram Collective will migrate to other platforms.

The Rise and Fall of Terrorgram: Inside a Global Online Hate Network

ProPublica 15 Mar 2025
Pete Simi, a sociology professor who studies extremism at Chapman University in Orange, California, said the incendiary ideas promoting race war and violence that animated the Terrorgram Collective will migrate to other platforms.

Cougar cubs found in Michigan for first time in more than a century

Michigan Live 14 Mar 2025
He said that until now all 130-plus documented cougar sightings in Michigan since 2008 have been male cats and presumed to be transient animals from the Dakotas migrating through the Great Lakes region.

Scientists Find Life-Thriving “Oasis” During Earth’s Mass Extinction, 252M Years Ago

Greek Reporter 14 Mar 2025
Soil analysis indicates that the area received about 1,000 millimeters (39 inches) of rainfall annually, creating a lush environment that supported plant life and migrating animals.

Study finds "oasis of life" thrived in NW China during Earth's worst mass extinction

Beijing News 14 Mar 2025
This consistent precipitation made South Taodonggou more verdant and habitable than other regions following the mass extinction at the end of the Permian Period, providing essential support for migrating animals ... .

Tibetan keeps close watch on 'sacred' black-necked cranes

People Daily 13 Mar 2025
She is responsible for recording the number of the wild animals, especially the migration patterns of black-necked cranes, and preventing human activities that may harm their habitats ... animal species.

Sounds Struggling to Stay Words

Portland Mercury 13 Mar 2025
And I observed that migration further pushes the languages towards extinction, because when folks migrate, the languages disappear within one generation ... Can you tell me more about the part migration plays in the process of losing language?.

Study finds 'oasis of life' thrived in NW China during Earth's worst mass extinction

China Daily 13 Mar 2025
This consistent precipitation made South Taodonggou more verdant and habitable than other regions following the mass extinction at the end of the Permian Period, providing essential support for migrating animals ...
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