06 May Monarchs on the Move: The Magnificent Migration
This past Saturday, May 4th (May the Fourth Be With You wink), is the national date for the reappearance of Monarch butterflies for the summer! Every year generations of monarchs take on a great migration where Monarch butterflies travel to Mexico and California. The goal of this national day is to raise awareness of this species to encourage the preservation of it, keeping them off of the endangered species list.
This monumental migration takes place every year where individuals are traveling almost 3,000 miles to reach their destination over the course of up to two months. Their destination is dependent upon their typical location. “Monarchs in Eastern North America have a second home in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico. Monarchs in Western North America overwinter in California.” But how do they know where to go? It’s astonishing the natural compass that these animals have when it comes to following their instincts. Monarchs are guided by “ a combination of directional aids such as the magnetic pull of the earth and the position of the sun among others, not one in particular*.” This is an incredible and long journey, often taking stops along the way and requiring multiple generations to complete.
Even here at the Ross Park Zoo, we are a part of the SAFE Monarch Program associated with the AZA as we are dedicated to preserving the species. Being that the Monarch butterfly is the only known butterfly species to migrate in two directions like birds, we have an established butterfly garden where Monarchs can come, rest, and refuel to carry on their journey. As they make their way “Monarchs cluster together to stay warm. Tens of thousands of monarchs can cluster on a single tree. Although monarchs alone weigh less than a gram, tens of thousands of them weigh a lot. Oyamel trees are generally able to support the clustering butterflies, but sometimes branches break.” Not only is it imperative that we save the individuals of the species but essential pieces of their habitat as well such as the Oyamel trees. Monarchs need their established habitat, their overwintering location, and the ecosystems that they pass through as well to be self-sustaining with a capacity to maintain the species as well. By promoting knowledge and awareness of the species and taking action like establishing your own butterfly garden we can ensure the viability of a truly unique species!
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*https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/Monarch_Butterfly/migration/index.shtml
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