Read an Academic Passage

The Phenomenon of Animal Migration

Animal migration is the large-scale movement of a species from one environment to another, often in a cyclical pattern. This behavior is found in a wide variety of animals, including birds, mammals, fish, and insects. The primary drivers for migration are typically related to resource availability and climate. For example, many bird species fly south for the winter to escape cold weather and find more abundant food sources. Similarly, wildebeest in the Serengeti undertake a massive annual migration across the plains in search of fresh grazing lands and water, a journey covering hundreds of kilometers.

The mechanisms that guide animals during migration are complex and not fully understood. Some species appear to use the Earth's magnetic field as a sort of internal compass. Others navigate using celestial cues, such as the position of the sun or stars. For many animals, instinct plays a crucial role, with migratory routes passed down genetically from one generation to the next. Salmon, for instance, famously return to the exact stream where they were born to spawn, a feat of navigation that involves a highly developed sense of smell to detect unique chemical signatures in the water.

While migration offers significant survival advantages, it also presents numerous dangers. Migrating animals face threats from predators, exhaustion, and starvation. Human activities, such as the construction of dams, buildings, and wind turbines, can also obstruct migratory paths and pose serious risks. Conservation efforts are increasingly focused on protecting these critical routes, known as migratory corridors, to ensure the long-term survival of many species that depend on this ancient and remarkable behavior.