The Most Mysterious Animal Migrations on Earth
From butterflies that vanish for generations to fish that swim thousands of miles — nature’s GPS is more accurate than you think.
Monarch Butterflies: A Journey They’ve Never Taken Before
Every year, millions of monarch butterflies travel over 4,000 km from Canada and the northern U.S. to Mexico, seeking warmer climates. But here's the twist — none of the butterflies that arrive in Mexico have ever been there before.
Monarchs take up to four generations to complete a full round trip. The butterflies that leave Mexico in spring will die before reaching Canada. Their great-grandchildren, who’ve never seen Mexico, somehow know how to return. Scientists still can’t fully explain how they navigate this vast journey — some think it’s based on the sun’s position or magnetic fields.
It’s one of the most mind-blowing inherited instincts in the insect world.
Arctic Terns: Masters of the Longest Migration on Earth
The Arctic tern holds the world record for the longest migration of any animal. These small birds travel from their breeding grounds in the Arctic all the way to Antarctica — and then fly back again. That's a round trip of around 70,000 km every year.
Imagine flying from the North Pole to the South Pole, then turning around and doing it again — and again, for decades. Arctic terns live up to 30 years, meaning one bird may travel more than 2 million kilometers in its lifetime. That’s like flying to the moon and back three times.
Yet, they do it for one simple reason: to follow summer. They spend their whole lives chasing sunlight and food.
Wildebeest: Earth’s Largest Land Migration
Every year, over 1.5 million wildebeest, along with zebras and gazelles, move across the Serengeti ecosystem in Tanzania and Kenya in search of fresh grass. This epic journey is called the Great Migration, and it’s often called one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.
The animals face dangerous river crossings filled with crocodiles, treacherous terrain, and predators like lions and hyenas. What’s amazing is how they seem to know when and where to go, even though there are no maps, no leaders, and no guides — just instinct and survival.
Humpback Whales: Ocean Giants on a Cross-Planet Trip
Humpback whales migrate up to 16,000 km per year, swimming from cold polar waters where they feed, to warm tropical waters where they give birth. That’s like swimming halfway around the Earth.
These enormous creatures — up to 40 tons in weight — don’t eat during their migration. They rely entirely on the fat reserves they’ve built up in feeding grounds. They sing complex songs along the way, possibly to communicate with other whales during their long journey.
Even calves, born in warm water, know how to swim thousands of kilometers back to feeding grounds they’ve never seen. It’s a combination of memory, magnetism, and mystery.
Salmon: From the Ocean Back to Their Birthplace
Salmon are born in freshwater rivers, then swim out to sea, where they spend most of their lives. But when it’s time to reproduce, they return to the exact river where they were born, swimming upstream against powerful currents — sometimes jumping over waterfalls — just to spawn.
They do this using a remarkable sense of smell and possibly magnetic orientation. Some travel over 1,500 km upstream, and once they lay their eggs, they die — their entire life ends with this one mission.
What’s even more astonishing is that they don’t get lost. Even among thousands of similar rivers, each salmon finds its way back to its birthplace.
Caribou: A Migration Through Ice and Predators
In North America, caribou (reindeer) travel up to 5,000 km annually — the longest land migration of any mammal. Their herds, sometimes numbering in the hundreds of thousands, move through snowstorms, frozen lakes, and predator zones, all while avoiding wolves and harsh Arctic weather.
Calves are born during this journey, and within hours of being born, they must be ready to walk and migrate with the herd. The caribou’s survival depends on synchronization and stamina, and somehow, they manage to follow ancient routes passed down through generations.
Leatherback Sea Turtles: Navigating Oceans for 10,000 km
Leatherback sea turtles are the largest turtles on Earth, and their migrations are no small feat. Some travel over 10,000 km between nesting and feeding grounds. One recorded turtle swam from Indonesia to Oregon, USA — across the entire Pacific Ocean.
They follow ocean currents and use Earth’s magnetic fields as a natural compass. After laying eggs on the same beach where they were born, female turtles return to sea and repeat the cycle every few years. Scientists still don’t fully understand how they remember these exact locations.
It’s a story of ancient memory wrapped in a modern mystery.
Eels: A Mystery We Still Haven’t Solved
The European eel is one of the strangest cases in animal migration. Born in the Sargasso Sea (near the Caribbean), these eels drift across the Atlantic to Europe’s rivers, where they grow for years. Then, when it’s time to reproduce, they disappear back to the Sargasso — and no one has ever witnessed exactly how.
We know they return. But how? And what happens there? No scientist has ever found an eel egg in European waters. The Sargasso Sea seems to be their secret spawning ground, but it remains one of nature’s greatest mysteries.
Dragonflies: The Smallest Long-Distance Migrants
You might not expect an insect to travel far, but the globe skimmer dragonfly does something incredible: it crosses oceans. These tiny creatures fly from India to East Africa, and even across the Indian Ocean, covering up to 14,000 km in multi-generational journeys.
Scientists believe they ride high-altitude winds and time their migration with seasonal rains. Some of these dragonflies may even migrate further than monarch butterflies, but because they’re so small, much of their path remains unknown.
They’re proof that even the tiniest wings can take on the biggest skies.
Sardines: A Shimmering Wall of Movement
Off the coast of South Africa, millions of sardines gather and move northward in what’s called the Sardine Run — a marine migration so massive it can be seen from space. The sardines form dense shoals stretching over 7 km long and 30 meters deep, attracting dolphins, sharks, whales, and seabirds in a chaotic feeding frenzy.
No one knows exactly why the sardines do this. Some believe it’s a response to water temperatures or food sources. Whatever the reason, this shimmering wall of silver is one of the most spectacular ocean migrations on Earth.
Animal migrations aren’t just about movement — they’re about mystery, instinct, and survival. Some creatures travel halfway across the world without a map, compass, or any prior experience — just a deep, natural rhythm that tells them when it’s time to go.
It’s a journey written in their DNA, and we’re only just beginning to understand how they do it.
About the Creator
Microbiota, microbiome or microflora: how to speak correctly and why it is for health.
You've probably heard the phrase, "We are what we eat." But modern science says more precisely: we are also those who live in us. Until 2016, it was believed that there are many times more bacteria in our body than our own cells. The latest calculations by mathematicians show that we divide the body with our microorganisms by about 50/50: about 30 trillion of our cells versus 38 trillion bacterial ones.
By Yaroslav Gorohov4 days ago in Earth
Chinese EVs Closing In on America After Canadian Tariffs Deal
The electric vehicle race is no longer just about climate goals or consumer choice — it has become a geopolitical contest. And in early 2026, a subtle but powerful move by Canada may have tilted the board. By agreeing to sharply reduce tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, Canada has opened a door that the United States has worked hard to keep shut. While Chinese EVs are still largely barred from the American market, they are now edging closer than ever — not by crossing the border directly, but by entering through Canada. This development raises a pressing question: Are Chinese EVs closing in on America, and what does that mean for the future of North American auto markets? The Deal That Changed the Game Canada’s new agreement with China allows up to 49,000 Chinese-made electric vehicles per year to enter the Canadian market at a tariff rate of just over 6%, a dramatic drop from the previous 100% tariff that effectively blocked them. On paper, the quota seems small. In reality, it carries enormous symbolic and strategic weight. For years, both Canada and the United States aligned closely on keeping Chinese EVs out, citing concerns over unfair subsidies, national security, and the protection of domestic auto industries. This new deal marks a clear shift — and a divergence from U.S. policy. Canada didn’t make the decision in isolation. The EV tariff reduction was part of a broader trade reset with China, tied to agricultural exports such as canola and efforts to stabilize a strained economic relationship. Why Chinese EVs Matter So Much China is the undisputed leader of the global electric vehicle industry. Its manufacturers produce EVs at scale, often at prices Western automakers struggle to match. Brands like BYD, Nio, and Xpeng have already expanded aggressively into Europe, Southeast Asia, and parts of the Middle East. North America has remained one of the final fortified markets — until now. Chinese EVs are appealing not just because they’re cheaper, but because they’ve rapidly improved in quality, range, and technology. For consumers priced out of North American and European EV models, Chinese vehicles offer something rare: affordability without sacrificing features. Canada’s decision gives Chinese automakers their first legitimate foothold in North America — and footholds tend to grow. Why the U.S. Is Nervous The United States still enforces a 100% tariff on Chinese EV imports, making them effectively unsellable in the American market. But Canada’s move has triggered concern in Washington. U.S. officials argue that Chinese EVs entering Canada could indirectly pressure American markets, influence supply chains, and weaken Washington’s leverage in future trade negotiations. There’s also a political dimension. Both major U.S. parties have framed Chinese dominance in EVs as a strategic threat — not just to auto jobs, but to technological leadership. Modern EVs collect vast amounts of data, and lawmakers have raised concerns about cybersecurity and foreign data access. While Chinese EVs aren’t rolling onto American roads yet, their presence just across the border changes the conversation. Canada’s Risk — and Opportunity Inside Canada, the reaction has been mixed. Automotive hubs like Ontario worry that opening the market could undermine domestic manufacturing and strain relations with the U.S., Canada’s largest trading partner. Some leaders have called the deal “lopsided,” warning it could cost jobs if American retaliation follows. Others see opportunity. A more competitive EV market could lower prices for Canadian consumers and accelerate EV adoption. It may also attract Chinese investment into Canada itself — including factories, battery plants, and supply chain partnerships. If Chinese automakers choose to build in Canada rather than simply export to it, the country could position itself as a bridge between Chinese EV innovation and North American demand. That balancing act — between economic opportunity and political risk — defines Canada’s strategy. Are Chinese EVs Really ‘Closing In’ on America? For now, the answer is: not directly — but strategically, yes. Chinese EVs sold in Canada won’t automatically flood the U.S. market. Regulations, trade rules, and tariffs still stand in the way. But proximity matters. Supply chains overlap. Consumer awareness spreads. Manufacturing footprints expand. There’s also the possibility of a workaround: Chinese companies could eventually build EVs in North America to bypass tariffs altogether. This idea has already been floated — but it faces fierce resistance from U.S. lawmakers and unions. Still, history shows that once a global industry leader gains regional access, momentum often follows. What This Means for Consumers For Canadian buyers, the impact could be immediate: more choice and lower prices in an EV market that has long been criticized for being expensive and limited. For American consumers, the effect will be indirect — at least at first. But increased competition could eventually pressure U.S. automakers to reduce prices, improve features, and accelerate innovation. The larger question is whether North America wants competition or insulation — and how long insulation can realistically last in a globalized EV economy. The Bigger Picture: A Global EV Power Shift Canada’s tariff deal reflects a broader reality: China’s dominance in electric vehicles is reshaping global trade, whether governments like it or not. Europe is already grappling with an influx of Chinese EVs. Emerging markets are embracing them. And now, North America has its first real crack in the wall. This isn’t just about cars. It’s about who controls the future of clean transportation, supply chains, and industrial policy. Final Thoughts Chinese EVs aren’t driving down American highways yet — but after Canada’s tariff deal, they’re closer than ever. This move doesn’t spell immediate disruption, but it does signal a shift. One country has decided that economic pragmatism outweighs political alignment. And in doing so, Canada may have opened the door to a new phase of EV competition in North America. Whether that door swings wider — or slams shut — will depend on how the U.S., automakers, and consumers respond. One thing is certain: the EV race just entered a new chapter.
By Muhammad Hassan2 days ago in Earth
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