Migration

Pacific Salmon

• Hatch in freshwater rivers in Alaska where there are fewer predators.

• Spend adult life in the Pacific Ocean.

• Adults migrate hundreds of miles up the same river they were born to spawn (lay and fertilize eggs).

• Adults die after spawning.

• I migrate because of temperature.

• I migrate to find food.

• I migrate to reproduce.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

Zebra

• Live in the Serengeti grassland in Africa.

• Migrate over 1,000 miles to follow the rainy season.

• Rain means green grass, which is their food source.

• When an area is hit by a drought, they move on.

• I migrate because of temperature.

• I migrate to find food.

• I migrate to reproduce.

Tags

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Monarch Butterfly

• Migrate from northern North America to Mexico in autumn, because they can’t fly in cold weather and food starts to disappear.

• Migrate from Mexico to northern North America in spring.

• A single butterfly can’t make the journey. The babies of its babies finish the migration.

• I migrate because of temperature.

• I migrate to find food.

• I migrate to reproduce.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

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Caribou

• Born in Alaska,

• Migrate to Northwest Canada as winter approaches to get away from heavy snow.

• Can’t find food during Alaska’s bitterly cold winters.

• Return to Alaska in summer for food.

• I migrate because of temperature.

• I migrate to find food.

• I migrate to reproduce.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Bighorn Sheep

• Live in the Rocky Mountains.

• Spend summers in high altitudes (near the tops of mountains) where there are fewer predators.

• Spend winters in lower altitudes because they can’t get to food in thick snow at higher altitudes.

• I migrate because of temperature.

• I migrate to find food.

• I migrate to reproduce.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

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Snake

• Many snake species migrate and hibernate.

• Virginia Cottonmouths spend summers in low-lying swamps filled with food.

• Spend winters in high bluffs hibernating due to cold temperatures.

• Migrate between swamps and snowy bluffs at higher altitudes.

• I migrate because of temperature.

• I migrate to find food.

• I migrate to reproduce.

Tags

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Humpback Whale

• Spend summers near Alaska in cold waters (lots of krill and small fish to eat).

• Spend winters near Hawaii to have babies (babies don’t have much blubber to keep warm in cold water).

• Travel thousands of miles in the Pacific Ocean between sites.

• I migrate because of temperature.

• I migrate to find food.

• I migrate to reproduce.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

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Snow Geese

• Spend summers in Canada.

• Spend winters in warmer parts of the United States.

• Migrate in search of plants to eat.

• Often come to the coast of Virginia to feed.

• I migrate because of temperature.

• I migrate to find food.

• I migrate to reproduce.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Wildebeest

• Eat the fresh green grass that grows when it rains consistently, but rain in Africa isn’t constant.

• Areas in Africa go through rainy seasons, then long periods of drought.

• To find food, wildebeests will travel for miles to follow the rain. They can walk nearly 1,000 miles in search of food to eat, braving the hot African sun.

• I migrate because of temperature.

• I migrate to find food.

• I migrate to reproduce.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Canadian Geese

• Each year Canadian geese fly south for the winter to avoid the winter freeze of lakes and ponds.

• Then they return to the north for the summer where they breed and nest.

• Geese are known for their V formation when they fly. This helps them to save energy and allows them to fly up to 600 miles in a single day.

• I migrate because of temperature.

• I migrate to find food.

• I migrate to reproduce.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4