The migration of animals

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.^[1] The trigger for the migration may be local climate, local availability of food, the season of the year or for mating reasons.^[2] To be counted as a true migration, and not just a local dispersal orirruption, 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.^[3]

Contents

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• 1Overview
• 2In specific groups
  • 2.1In birds
  • 2.2In fish
  • 2.3In insects
  • 2.4In other animals
• 3Tracking migration
• 4In culture
• 5See also
• 6References
• 7Further reading
  • 7.1In general
  • 7.2In specific groups
  • 7.3For children
• 8External links