Animal Migration: Patterns, Causes, and Tracking

Definition and Criteria of Animal Migration

Animal migration is the relatively long-distance movement of animals, usually occurring seasonally. It is found across major animal groups, including birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and crustaceans. Migration may be triggered by seasonal changes, climate, food availability, breeding, or major changes in habitat. To qualify as true migration rather than local dispersal or an irregular population irruption, movement generally must recur annually or seasonally, or represent a major habitat change during the animal’s life. Migration is commonly characterized by persistent, relatively direct movement produced by the animal’s own efforts or active movement on a vehicle, accompanied by a temporary reduction in behaviors that keep it in one place. It may be obligate or facultative, and can be complete, partial, or differential depending on whether all, some, or particular groups of individuals migrate.

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Causes of Animal Migration

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