Top 20 Longest Documented Journeys by Animals

Top 20 Longest Documented Journeys by Animals

1. Humpback Whale

This marine mammal has been tracked migrating over 16,000 miles (25,749 km) in a single year, making it one of the longest recorded migrations of any animal species. The humpback whale's migration patterns can be influenced by factors such as food availability, weather conditions, and social behavior. According to tracking data, a group of humpback whales was observed migrating over 10,000 miles (16,093 km) in just one summer season.

2. Arctic Tern

This bird migrates an average of 44,000 miles (71,027 km) each year, making it the longest recorded annual migration of any animal species. The arctic tern's journey takes them from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back again, covering some of the most inhospitable terrain on Earth. According to research, the arctic tern's migratory route covers over 50% of the circumference of the globe.

3. Leatherback Sea Turtle

This marine turtle has been tracked migrating over 10,000 miles (16,093 km) in a single year, making it one of the longest recorded migrations of any sea turtle species. The leatherback sea turtle's migration patterns are influenced by factors such as food availability and water temperature. According to research, the leatherback sea turtle's migratory route takes them from the Gulf of Mexico to the coast of West Africa.

4. African Elephant

This large mammal has been tracked migrating over 9,000 miles (14,444 km) in a single year, making it one of the longest recorded migrations of any land animal species. The African elephant's migration patterns are influenced by factors such as food availability and water sources. According to research, the African elephant's migratory route takes them from the Serengeti National Park to the Kruger National Park.

5. Gray Whale

This cetacean has been tracked migrating over 8,000 miles (12,875 km) in a single year, making it one of the longest recorded migrations of any baleen whale species. The gray whale's migration patterns are influenced by factors such as food availability and water temperature. According to research, the gray whale's migratory route takes them from the Gulf of California to the coast of Alaska.

6. Siberian Crane

This bird migrates an average of 9,000 miles (14,444 km) each year, making it one of the longest recorded annual migrations of any bird species. The Siberian crane's journey takes them from their breeding grounds in Russia to their wintering grounds in India and Pakistan. According to research, the Siberian crane's migratory route covers some of the most remote territories on Earth.

7. Laysan Albatross

This seabird has been tracked migrating over 8,000 miles (12,875 km) in a single year, making it one of the longest recorded migrations of any bird species. The Laysan albatross's migration patterns are influenced by factors such as food availability and ocean currents. According to research, the Laysan albatross's migratory route takes them from their breeding grounds in Hawaii to their wintering grounds in the Pacific Ocean.

8. Emperor Penguin

This penguin species has been tracked migrating over 7,000 miles (11,265 km) in a single year, making it one of the longest recorded migrations of any bird species. The emperor penguin's migration patterns are influenced by factors such as food availability and breeding cycles. According to research, the emperor penguin's migratory route takes them from their breeding grounds on Antarctica to their feeding grounds in the Southern Ocean.

9. Green Sea Turtle

This marine turtle has been tracked migrating over 6,000 miles (9,656 km) in a single year, making it one of the longest recorded migrations of any sea turtle species. The green sea turtle's migration patterns are influenced by factors such as food availability and water temperature. According to research, the green sea turtle's migratory route takes them from the Caribbean Sea to the coast of Mexico.

10. Bald Eagle

This bird of prey has been tracked migrating over 5,000 miles (8,046 km) in a single year, making it one of the longest recorded migrations of any land animal species. The bald eagle's migration patterns are influenced by factors such as food availability and breeding cycles. According to research, the bald eagle's migratory route takes them from their breeding grounds in North America to their wintering grounds in Mexico.

11. Amur Falcon

This bird has been tracked migrating over 5,000 miles (8,046 km) in a single year, making it one of the longest recorded migrations of any bird species. The Amur falcon's migration patterns are influenced by factors such as food availability and wind currents. According to research, the Amur falcon's migratory route takes them from their breeding grounds in China to their wintering grounds in South Africa.

12. Red Knot

This shorebird has been tracked migrating over 4,000 miles (6,437 km) in a single year, making it one of the longest recorded migrations of any land animal species. The red knot's migration patterns are influenced by factors such as food availability and breeding cycles. According to research, the red knot's migratory route takes them from their breeding grounds in the Arctic tundra to their wintering grounds in South America.

13. Gray Wolf

This large mammal has been tracked migrating over 3,500 miles (5,633 km) in a single year, making it one of the longest recorded migrations of any land animal species. The gray wolf's migration patterns are influenced by factors such as food availability and habitat loss. According to research, the gray wolf's migratory route takes them from their breeding grounds in Yellowstone National Park to their wintering grounds in Canada.

14. Pronghorn Antelope

This large mammal has been tracked migrating over 3,000 miles (4,828 km) in a single year, making it one of the longest recorded migrations of any land animal species. The pronghorn antelope's migration patterns are influenced by factors such as food availability and habitat loss. According to research, the pronghorn antelope's migratory route takes them from their breeding grounds in Wyoming to their wintering grounds in Colorado.

15. European Robin

This bird has been tracked migrating over 2,000 miles (3,219 km) in a single year, making it one of the longest recorded migrations of any land animal species. The European robin's migration patterns are influenced by factors such as food availability and breeding cycles. According to research, the European robin's migratory route takes them from their breeding grounds in Western Europe to their wintering grounds in North Africa.

16. American Bumblebee

This insect has been tracked migrating over 1,500 miles (2,414 km) in a single year, making it one of the longest recorded migrations of any insect species. The American bumblebee's migration patterns are influenced by factors such as food availability and temperature. According to research, the American bumblebee's migratory route takes them from their breeding grounds in Canada to their wintering grounds in Florida.

17. Desert Tortoise

This large reptile has been tracked migrating over 1,000 miles (1,609 km) in a single year, making it one of the longest recorded migrations of any land animal species. The desert tortoise's migration patterns are influenced by factors such as food availability and water sources. According to research, the desert tortoise's migratory route takes them from their breeding grounds in California to their wintering grounds in Arizona.

18. Red Squirrel

This small mammal has been tracked migrating over 800 miles (1,288 km) in a single year, making it one of the longest recorded migrations of any land animal species. The red squirrel's migration patterns are influenced by factors such as food availability and habitat loss. According to research, the red squirrel's migratory route takes them from their breeding grounds in Canada to their wintering grounds in the northeastern United States.

19. Common Eider

This seabird has been tracked migrating over 600 miles (966 km) in a single year, making it one of the longest recorded migrations of any bird species. The common eider's migration patterns are influenced by factors such as food availability and ocean currents. According to research, the common eider's migratory route takes them from their breeding grounds in the Arctic tundra to their wintering grounds in the North Sea.

20. Wood frog

This amphibian has been tracked migrating over 400 miles (640 km) in a single year, making it one of the longest recorded migrations of any amphibian species. The wood frog's migration patterns are influenced by factors such as temperature and humidity. According to research, the wood frog's migratory route takes them from their breeding grounds in Canada to their wintering grounds in New England.