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Wildebeest migration in Kenya

Migration

Migration is the usually seasonal movement of animals in pursuit of food, suitable breeding sites or to escape bad weather or other environmental conditions. Mass migrations - such as the wildebeest crossing the Mara River, or Pacific salmon heading upstream to mate - create some of the world's greatest wildlife spectacles.

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Animals with this behaviour

Mammals

Birds

Reptiles

Amphibians

Cartilaginous fish

Ray-finned fishes

Lampreys

Cephalopods

Insects

Starfish

About

Animal migration is the relatively long-distance movement of individuals, usually on a seasonal basis. It is a ubiquitous phenomenon, found in all major animal groups, including birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and crustaceans. The trigger for the migration may be local climate, local availability of food, the season of the year or for mating reasons. To be counted as a true migration, and not just a local dispersal or irruption, the movement of the animals should be an annual or seasonal occurrence, such as birds migrating south for the winter, or a major habitat change as part of their life, such as young Atlantic salmon leaving the river of their birth when they have reached a few inches in size.

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Behaviours

Other Survival strategy behaviours

Video collections

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  • Wild autumn Wild autumn

    Autumn - a time of great change, of breathtaking migrations, of high drama.

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