6 Seriously Impressive Animal Migrations

Summary

This SciShow episode explores the incredible journeys of various animals during migration. From the Grant's caribou's 4,000 km land migration to the Arctic tern's 15,000 km flight, the show highlights six remarkable cases. It also covers zooplankton's daily vertical migration, the bar-headed goose's high-altitude flight over the Himalayas, Emperor penguins' winter trek in Antarctica, and the symbiotic migration of golden jellyfish in Palau for sunlight and nutrients. The episode emphasizes the diversity and complexity of animal migration strategies.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Animals migrate for various reasons such as avoiding cold, giving birth, or finding food.
• 🦌 The Grant's caribou holds the record for the longest land migration, covering over 4,000 kilometers.
• 🐦 The Arctic tern has the longest migration distance of any animal, traveling from the Arctic to the Antarctic.
• 🌊 Zooplankton may hold records for both the smallest and most numerous migrating animals, participating in daily vertical migrations.
• 🐦 The bar-headed goose is listed in the Guinness World Records as the 'highest migrant', flying over 7,000 meters above ground.
• 🐧 Emperor penguins undertake impressive journeys across Antarctica in winter, sometimes without eating for weeks.
• 🌞 Golden jellyfish in Palau migrate daily to maximize sunlight exposure for their symbiotic algae.
• 🔬 Scientific thinking and understanding of natural laws help scientists uncover the mysteries of animal migrations.
• 🌐 Migration patterns vary widely among different species and are influenced by factors like food availability and environmental conditions.
• 🎓 Learning about scientific thinking can help anyone better understand the natural world and the behaviors of its inhabitants.

Q & A

What is the significance of animal migration?

Animal migration is significant as it allows them to avoid harsh weather conditions, find food, give birth in safer environments, and avoid predators.

Which animal holds the world record for the longest migration over land?

The Grant's caribou holds the world record for the longest migration over land, covering more than 4,000 kilometers.

What are some reasons caribou migrate?

Caribou migrate to reach calving grounds near the coast, find high-quality vegetation, and avoid biting insects like mosquitos.

How does the Arctic tern's migration compare to the caribou's?

The Arctic tern's migration is longer than the caribou's, with a straight-line distance of about 15,000 kilometers and a meandering route that can be up to five times farther.

What hypothesis explains the Arctic tern's long migration route?

One hypothesis suggests that the terns migrate so far south to follow the bright summer sunlight, which helps them see their aquatic prey more clearly and take advantage of calmer summer breezes.

What is unique about the zooplankton's migration?

Zooplankton may hold two world records for migration: being the smallest migrating animals and the most numerous. They perform daily diel vertical migrations, moving downwards into darker waters during the day and upwards towards the surface at night.

Why do zooplankton migrate vertically?

Zooplankton migrate vertically to avoid predators that hunt visually by staying in darker, deeper waters during the day and to find food at night by moving to the surface.

What is special about the bar-headed goose's migration?

The bar-headed goose is listed as the 'highest migrant' by Guinness World Records, as it can fly over 7,000 meters above the ground to cross the Himalayas during its migration.

How do Emperor penguins' migration habits differ from other birds?

Emperor penguins do not migrate across continents and oceans but instead travel across Antarctica in the winter to reach their breeding grounds.

What challenges do Emperor penguins face during their migration?

During their migration, Emperor penguins face extreme cold, must stop eating for weeks, and the males have to survive off of fat stores while caring for the eggs until they hatch.

How do golden jellyfish in Palau's tropical lake benefit from their migration?

Golden jellyfish migrate to maximize sunlight exposure for the algae within their tissues, which undergoes photosynthesis and provides energy for the jellyfish. They also migrate vertically at night to access necessary nutrients and avoid predators.

What role does scientific thinking play in understanding animal migrations?

Scientific thinking allows scientists to understand animal migrations by applying knowledge of natural laws and interpreting evidence within that framework.