5 Great Animal Migrations on YouTube

It’s fall in North America and many animals have begun their trek to seek warmer climates. In honor of wildlife’s big move, settle in for a little arm-chair wildlife watching with these YouTube migration videos. These aren’t just North American fall migrations — these animals walk, crawl, swim and fly at all times of year and for many different reasons. Enjoy!

Note: Apologies for the ads at the start of some of these videos. I promise it’s worth the wait! 

1. Lobsters Marching Away From Stormy Waters

The combination of the soldier-like crustaceans, David Attenborough’s narration, and the heroic orchestral music make this one of my favorite migration movies. Brace yourself, though, for one scene that shows a spiny lobster meeting a gruesome end at the hands (fins?) of a trigger fish.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfEKjrF_5XQ[/youtube]

2. Wildebeests — Millions of Them — Migrating in East Africa

In the spring, 1.5 million wildebeests join zebras and other animals to walk across the Serengeti to escape drought. The females make the 1000-mile trip just after giving birth!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYM6LqDJLiM[/youtube]

3. Monarch Butterflies — They Fly 50-80 Miles Per Day

Can you believe 300 million monarchs fly 2,500 miles to Southern California and Mexico? No wonder they hibernate once they get there. (Oprah narrates this one!)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFPlQK9rn14[/youtube]

4. Thousands of Noisy Snow Geese

Though not a true video, I like this narrated photo slide show about the North American snow geese migration. Informative!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4vj2nl-cCA[/youtube]

5. Eels Slithering to Sea

Here’s one that shows migrating eels getting tricked by a predator: humans! I’m glad the fishermen let the big ones make it to the ocean.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fdtYEqEqC0[/youtube]

You can help migrating animals by turning your yard in a haven for wildlife. Certify your habitat!