大象传媒

Introduction

Every year thousands of animals migrate from one place to another. They are driven by a natural instinct, or a need to survive. On land and sea many animals fight off predators and take huge risks in order to migrate. They migrate for all sorts of reasons. Some animals migrate to look for food and water, others make the journey to and some animals travel great distances to find a safe place to , or to shelter for the winter.

Wildebeest queue in Masai Mara Reserve, Kenya.
Image caption,
Wildebeest migration.

There are lots of reasons an animal might migrate, such as:

  • lack of food
  • to avoid harsh weather conditions, like very cold winters
  • to find water - their water source might have frozen in colder temperatures
  • their habitat has become overcrowded
  • to find a safe place to give birth or lay eggs

Migration from Antarctica to Wales

Map of the world with Antarctica and Wales labelled on it.

Some animals only travel short distances, but others can travel a long way. Each year, one incredible bird travels all the way from to Anglesey, north Wales.

Arctic terns

The arctic tern may look small and delicate, but these magnificent sea birds migrate further than any other animal on the planet.

Arctic tern feeding her chick.
Image caption,
Arctic terns travel to Wales every summer to raise their young.
Arctic terns flying at sunset.
Image caption,
Arctic terns are effortless fliers.
Arctic tern hunting for fish.
Image caption,
Arctic terns hunt for fish close to their nesting grounds.

Did you know?

In a 30-year lifetime, a single tern can fly the same distance as making three trips to the moon and back.

Spider crabs

Every autumn, spider crabs migrate from the Welsh coast into deeper waters. The purpose of their journey is to mate or to shed their shells.

A spider crab on the ocean floor.
Image caption,
The spider crab travels across the ocean floor.
A spider crab washed ashore in Porthgain harbour, Pembrokeshire, Wales.
Image caption,
This impressive animal is covered in a shell of armour.
Underwater photo of a spider crab.
Image caption,
Spider crabs are the largest crabs in the Celtic sea.

Did you know?

The spider crab travels over 170 kilometres to reach its destination. Their journey can take as long as three months.

Basking sharks

The basking shark is the second largest fish in the world. Their migration routes remain a bit of a mystery. They can be spotted off the coast of Wales during the summer months. We know that these giant fish travel great distances, but scientists have only recently started to understand more about the long journeys that they undertake.

Underwater photo of a basking shark.
Image caption,
These enormous fish feed on plankton, so they travel long distances to find big gatherings of plankton blooms.
A basking shark near the coastline.
Image caption,
In our winter, basking sharks live in tropical waters close to the equator. Then as our waters warm up, they migrate north to the UK for the summer.
An aerial view of a basking shark swimming close to people in the sea.
Image caption,
Basking sharks are the largest shark to visit UK seas. They can grow to be eight metres long and they can live for up to 50 years.

Did you know?

It has been recently discovered that basking sharks don鈥檛 always travel alone, they sometimes travel in family groups. Scientists think they are probably teaching each other about the best migration routes.

Video: Animals on the move

Find out why some animals travel such long distances every year.

Quiz: What is migration and why do some animals migrate?

Activity

All over the world lots of scientists are studying the impact of global warming on migration patterns. How do these changes impact migration and why is this important? Why not do some research and present your own findings? Here are some articles with information to help you. Click on the links to find out more.

Can you find out more about these animals and their migratory patterns? Why not create an information leaflet about one of these incredible creatures? What are the most important facts to include?

Where next?

What is plankton and why is it so important?

Did you know that plankton that bunch together in large groups are called plankton blooms?

What is plankton and why is it so important?

Which animals live in rock pools?

Did you know that rock pools are bursting with life and are home to lots of different animals?

Which animals live in rock pools?

KS2 Sustainability

A collection of lessons for pupils aged 7 to 11

KS2 Sustainability