New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science

2010 Naturescapes Photo Salon Theme Announcement:

Migratory Journeys: New Mexico’s Wildlife on the Move

Migration: mi-gra-shen \ noun
1: To pass, usually periodically, from one region or climate to another for feeding or breeding.

More than just birds migrate; mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and even insects migrate.

The idea of animals (usually birds or monarch butterflies) moving, en mass, in a north-south seasonal pattern is only one type of migration. There are, in fact, many types of migration: ladybugs moved from low to high elevations, snakes journey to and from their winter hibernation sites and salamanders migrate from winter grounds to breeding ponds. Each group travels in predictable patterns and can involve huge numbers of animals: ladybird beetle agregates found in the Sandia Mountains can involve so many insects that host plants look like they are plastered with shiny orange fruit.

Many animals show cyclic travels through the year as they move from one range to another to find shelter, food, water or a mate. Although numerous birds, bats and other mammals are commonly known to follow migratory patterns, a host of other lesser-known animals found in New Mexico demonstrate seasonal movements:

 

Tiger salamanders
In early spring, coinciding with the first rains, tiger salamanders emerge from their burrows and head for the nearest water source. Males arrive first followed shortly thereafter by the females.

Ladybird beetles
Ladybird beetles or “lady bugs” migrate from valleys to mountaintops seeking ideal temperatures and food.

Spadefoot toads
Only at the sound of thunder will spadefoot toads awaken from their slumber. A heavy downpour (signaled by the thunder) will produce ponds that will last long enough for their young to develop. During this period, spadefoot toads will move overland in search of temporary ponds.

Hummingbirds
For their size, hummingbirds can migrate huge distances—black-chinned hummingbirds winter in Mexico and fly north through New Mexico to southern Canada. Ruby-throated hummingbirds cross the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico to overwinter as far south as Panama.

Butterflies
Monarch butterflies migrate from Mexico to as far north as Canada seeking food and a place to raise their young. Unlike bird migrations, no single butterfly makes the entire trip; it takes a couple of generations to complete the cycle.

Dragonflies
Many dragonfly species have a north/south migratory pattern similar to those of birds and butterflies. Like migratory butterflies, it will take two generations of dragonflies to make the entire migratory loop.

Migratory grasshoppers (Melanopus sanguinipes)
Several species of grasshoppers have a migratory phase; in New Mexico large swarms have been observed moving from depleted fields to areas with better forage.

Box turtles
After emerging from hibernation, box turtles have been known to migrate up to a mile from their home ranges to look for ponds of water. After drinking their fill, they return to their range.

Tarantulas (Aphonopelma sp.)
From late summer to early fall tarantulas can frequently be seen crossing roads and wandering around desert foothills over much of New Mexico. This annual “migration” is actually the wanderings of mature males looking for females. While females rarely go far from their burrows, mature males have been known to walk nearly a mile searching for receptive females. Male tarantulas reach maturity at around 10 years of age and die shortly after mating. Females can live up to thirty years.

 

Naturescapes 2010 Photo Salon