Monarch Butterfly Migration
In North America, monarch butterflies make yearly migrations to warmer southern regions during winter, returning to the north during spring. No individual butterfly survives long enough to make the full trip.
The average lifespan for summer-born butterflies is less than two months, which is not long enough to make the lengthy journey to overwintering locations in Mexico and California. However, the last generation of summer enters a non-reproductive state known as diapause. In this state, individuals can live for more than 7 months.
During diapause, the butterflies migrate to warm southern regions, in order to avoiding the freezing northern winter. They have been known to cover entire trees completely while hibernating. Once winter is over, diapause ends and the fertile butterflies return back on a spring migration.
On their way back north, the now exhausted butterflies lay their eggs and die. These eggs hatch and mature, and continue the journey. It takes up to four generations of monarchs to make it back to their original location.
Luna sin estrellas, Ken Schneider, Heather Spaulding on Flickr
(via moreanimalia)
Source: ichthyologist
foxes enjoying themselves (x)
you’re welcome
i can’t deal with this
LOOK YOU GUYS SMALL FLUFFY ANIMALS LOOKING HAPPY OKAY
(via perceptur)
Source: methuselah-honeysuckle
How mean :c
Finally the first lizards of the year!
These are Wall Lizards (Podarcis muralis), a non-native species probably deliberately introduced. This colony has been recognized since 2004, and it’s believed they originate from the Italian variety. Wall Lizards aren’t thought to be harmful to our native species at the moment, although more research is needed. The Wall Lizard Project is working on studying these colorful reptiles in the UK.
These two were quite tricky to photograph as they were behind a chain-link fence. They’re also very skittish and run off at the slightest movement. The smaller one definitely knew I was there as it kept looking at me, but it wasn’t too bothered so long as I kept still.
(via moreanimalia)
Source: urbanmongoose
Twin ring-tailed lemur babies, just 7 weeks old!
Bad Hairday by Roeselien Raimond on Flickr.
True blue: Rare blue-eyed lemur is born in France. Photo credit: F. Perroux/Zoo de La Pamyre via TODAY.com)
(via magicalnaturetour)
Source: today.com
