>>> WHEN WE THINK OF MIGRATION, WE USUALLY THINK OF ANIMALS LIKE GEESE OR DUCKS.

BUT DID YOU KNOW THAT MIGRATION IS NOT JUST FOR THE BIRDS?

WE'LL ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT ANIMAL MIGRATION.

STAY TUNED.

"D4K" IS NEXT.

>>> TALKING WERE ANIMAL MIGRATION.

MARCH IS THE BEGINNING OF SPRING, AND THAT MEANS IT WON'T BE LONG UNTIL THE FLOWERS BLOOM AND THE BIRDS ALL RETURN, BUT THE BIRDS AREN'T THE ONLY ONES COMING BACK TO THEIR SUMMER HOMES.

MANY ANIMALS MIGRATE, AND NOT JUST IN THE SPRINGTIME.

>> WHAT IS IT?

>> THE DEFINITION IS MOVEMENT FROM ONE AREA TO ANOTHER, AND BACK AGAIN, ALONG THE SAME ROUTE.

IT'S SORT OF LIKE RECESS.

SAY YOU LEAVE YOUR CLASSROOM EVERY MORNING AT 10:15.

AND MIGRATE OUT THE DOOR TO THE PLAYGROUND.

THEN WHEN THE BELL RINGS AGAIN, YOU RETURN ALONG THE SAME ROUTE BECOME TO YOUR CLASSROOM.

MIGRATING BACK AND FORTH FOR RECESS GIVES YOU TIME TO PLAY, BUT FOR ANIMALS, IT'S NOT ALL FUN AND GAMES.

ANIMALS MIGRATE TO SURVIVE.

>> WHAT DO YOU MEAN, TO SURVIVE?

>> THINK ABOUT HABITAT.

WHAT FOUR THINGS DO ANIMALS NEED TO SURVIVE?

>> FOOD, WATER, SHELTER, AND SPACE, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

IF ONE OF THESE THINGS IS MISSING FROM THE HABITAT, ANIMALS HAVE TO GO SOMEPLACE TO LOOK FOR IT.

THOITS LIKELY MISSING PIECE IS FOOD.

>> SO WHERE DOES THE FOOD GO?

>> THINK ABOUT THOSE PESKY SUMMERTIME BUGS.

ARE THEY AROUND IN THE WINTER?

>> NOT THIS ONE.

>> THE INSECTS THAT MANY BIRDS EAT IN THE SUMMER ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN THE WINTER.

THESE BIRDS MIGRATE TO FIND THE FOOD THEY NEED.

AND WHEN OUR WINTER IS OVER, THESE SAME BIRDS RETURN AGAIN TO EAT THE INSEBLGHTS THAT ARE BUGGING YOU.

>> I THOUGHT YOU SAID OTHER ANIMALS MIGRATED TOO.

>> THEY DO.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN DEER IN TOWN IN THE WINTER TIME?

WHY DO YOU THINK THEY LEFT THE MOUNTAIN?

>> FOOD?

BUT THE PLANTS AREN'T HERE.

>> PLANTS DON'T DISAPPEAR.

BUT THEY CAN BE PRETTY DIFFICULT TO FIND.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO DIG THROUGH THIS MUCH SNOW JUST FOR A SNACK?

DEER, ELK, BIG-HORN SHEEP, PRONG-HORN AND OTHER ANIMALS MIGRATE TO LOWER ELEVATIONS WHERE IT'S EASIER TO FIND FOOD.

BUT SOME MIGRATE UP TO HIGHER ELEVATIONS TO FIND FOOD.

>> WHAT DO THEY DO, EAT SNOW?

>> NO.

TAKE THE WOOTTON WOODLAND CARIBOU.

THEY HAVE LARGE FEET THAT ACT LIKE SHOWSHOES.

AS THE SNOW GETS DEEPER THE CARIBOU CAN REACH HIGHER AND HIGHER TO EAT THE LICHEN IN THE TREES.

ANOTHER BIG REASON ANIMALS MIGRATE IS TO MAKE MORE ANIMALS.

YOU KNOW, HAVE BABIES.

FINDING GOOD PLACES TO MAKE NESTS OR TO LAY EGGS GET ANIMALS ON THE MOVE.

>> ARE WE TALKING ABOUT BIRDS AGAIN?

>> BIRDS AREN'T THE ONLY ANIMALS THAT LAY EGGS.

TAKE REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS.

THE SPOTTED FROG HOPS A QUARTER MILE TO FIND THE PERFECT SPRING TO LAY ITS EGGS.

>> THAT'S NOT FAR.

WE HAVE TO RUN A WHOLE MILE IN P.E.

>> BUT YOU'RE A LOT BIGGER THAN A FROG.

DO YOU THINK YOU COULD HOP A MILE?

>> IT'S HARDER THAN WE THOUGHT.

>> IF YOU THOUGHT THAT WAS TOUGH, DO YOU THINK YOU COULD SWIM 900 MILES?

THIS SALMON SWAM 900 MILES FROM HERE ALL THE WAY TO THE OCEAN.

AND THEN BACK ANOTHER 900 MILES.

JUST TO LAY EGGS IN A STREAM WHERE IT WAS BORN.

TALK ABOUT A JOURNEY.

EVEN MORE REMARKABLE ARE THE MIGRATIONS OF MONARCH BUTTERFLIES AND DRAGONFLIES.

MONARCH BUTTERFLIES TRAVEL UP TO 3,000 MILES, AND SCIENTISTS AREN'T SURE HOW FAR DRAGONFLIES GO.

BOTH HEAD SOUTH IN THE FALL TO ESCAPE THE SNOW AND COLD.

>> HOW DOES AN ANIMAL KNOW WHERE IT'S GOING?

>> IT'S NOT LIKE IT CAN READ SIGNS.

>> GOOD QUESTION.

WE KNOW THAT SALMON SMELL THEIR WAY HOME.

BUT WE'RE NOT SURE ABOUT SOME OF THE OTHER ANIMALS.

THIS IS ONE OF THE MYSTERIES SCIENTISTS HAVE BEEN STUDYING FOR A LONG TIME.

IS THERE SOMETHING IN ANIMALS' BODIES THAT GIVE THEM A FEEL FOR WHERE THEY ARE?

DO THEY USE THE STARS OR THE SUN TO NAVIGATE?

DO THEY MEMORIZE LANDMARKS ALONG THE WAY?

LIKE YOU MEMORIZE YOUR ROUTE TO SCHOOL?

OR DO THEY USE ALL OF THESE METHODS TO FIND THEIR WAY?

MAYBE YOU COULD BE THE SCIENTIST WHO SOLVES THE MYSTERY OF MIGRATION.

AND JOINING ME NOW TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT ANIMAL MIGRATION ARE JEFF KNETTER A BIOLOGIST FOR THE IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME AND VICKY RUNNOE, CONSERVATION EDUCATOR ALSO WITH THE IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME.

EXPSK WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

GIVE US A CALL AT 1-800-973-9800 OR YOU CAN EMAIL US AT D4K@IDAHOPTV.ORG.

REMEMBER, WHEN YOU SEND IN A QUESTION, YOU AND YOUR CLASS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN DVDs AND OTHER PRIZES.

OUR FIRST QUESTION COMES FROM MRS.

SCHWEITZER'S CLASS, JOE WANTS TO KNOW, WHY DOES MIGRATION HAPPEN?

>> WELL, MIGRATION GENERALLY IS A MOVEMENT FROM A PLACE AN ANIMAL LIVES TO SOMEPLACE THAT PROVIDES OTHER THINGS THAT THEY NEED.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, A LOT OF ANIMALS REALLY THE BOTTOM LINE REASON IS FOOD.

SO IF THE FOOD SOURCE IN A PLACE DISAPPEARS COME WINTER, THOSE ANIMALS HAVE TO LEAVE TO GO SOMEPLACE ELSE TO FIND FOOD THEY NEED DURING THE WINTER TIME, AND THEY CAN COME BACK.

SO FOOD IS REALLY THE REASON.

FOOD IS THE REASON FOR A LOT OF THINGS.

>> LET'S GO TO OUR FIRST VIDEO QUESTION.

THAT QUESTION COMES FROM MADDY.

>> MY NAME IS MADDY, AND MY QUESTION IS, IF MAMMALS ARE WARM, WHY DO THEY MIGRATE?

>> THAT'S AN EXCELLENT QUESTION.

YES, THEY DO.

AS VICKY JUST MENTIONED, A LOT OF ANIMALS MIGRATE FOR FOOD.

AND SO IN THE WINTER TIME, FOR EXAMPLE, MULE DEER ELK WHICH MAY SUMMER AT A HIGHER ELEVATION, THEY'LL GO TO A LOWER ELEVATION OR A DIFFERENT ASPECT OF A SLOPE SO THEY CAN ACCESS VEGETATION EASIER.

>> OK.

LET ME GO TO THE NEXT QUESTION FROM JODY FROM -- FROM LUKE.

HOW DO ANIMALS KNOW WHEN TO MIGRATE?

>> WELL, UNLIKE US, LUKE WHEN YOU WENT TO SCHOOL YOUR MOM AND DAD KNEW, WE'VE GOT THAT FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL CIRCLED ON THE CALENDAR.

ANIMALS AND HUMANS TOO HAVE A SPECIAL GLAND IN THEIR BRAIN THAT TELLS THEM WHEN THE LIGHT IS CHANGING.

YOU KNOW WHEN SCHOOL BEGINS AND IT'S NOT LIGHT OUT IN THE EVENING SO YOU CAN PLAY OUTSIDE WHEN YOU'RE DONE?

AND AS WINTER GETS HERE IT'S DARK, YOU COME HOAMENT FROM SCHOOL, YOU ONLY HAVE AN HOUR TO HANG OUT WITH YOUR BUDDIES.

ANIMALS CAN TELL THAT.

AS THE DAY GETS SHORTER, THAT KEYS THE ANIMALS, THEY GET WHAT WE CALL MIGRATORY RESTLESSNESS.

AND THAT KIND OF KEYS THEM, GOSH, IT'S TIME TO GET OUT OF HERE.

YOUR PARENTS CIRCLING THAT FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL ON THE CALENDAR, ANIMALS CAN TELL BY THE WAY THE DAYLIGHT IS CHANGING.

>> JOE FROM MRS.

WOODALL'S CLASS IN COEUR D'ALENE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO MIGRATE?

>> IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE SPECIES.

AND CERTAINLY THE TYPE OF WINTER YOU MAY BE HAVING WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT DEER OR ELK, FOR EXAMPLE, IN SOME CASES YOU MIGHT HAVE A MILD WINTER AND THE ANIMALS DON'T HAVE TO GO FAR.

WHEREAS SOMETHING LIKE STEELHEAD OR CHINOOK SALMON IN IDAHO, IT TAKES THEM MONTHS TO COVER THE GROUND THEY NEED TO COVER.

AND THEN IN ADDITION, BIRDS, THERE ARE SOME BIRDS THAT TAKE WEEKS TO MIGRATE, OTHERS THAT CAN MAKE THE TRIP IN DAYS.

IT REALLY ALL DEPENDS.

>> MORGAN FROM MRS.

HUNT'S CLASS AT CYNTHIA MANN ELEMENTARY, WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, DO WHALES MIGRATE?

>> THEY DO.

THEY WILL MOVE FROM SUMMERING GROUNDS WHERE THERE'S A LOT OF CRILL, AND SO THEY MOVE BETWEEN AREAS WHERE THEY CAN FIND THAT.

A GOOD EXAMPLE, IF YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO GO TO HAWAII, GO IN FEBRUARY.

THAT'S WHEN THE HUMPBACK WHALES ARE THERE.

YOU CAN WATCH THE WHALES AND THEY'LL BE THERE WITH THEIR CALVES AND THEY'LL MOVE IN THE SUMMER BACK TO THE ARCTIC, WHERE THERE'S A LOT OF FOOD THEY CAN EAT.

EVEN THE BIG ANIMAL LIVING IN THE OCEAN WILL MIGRATE TO FIND THE FOOD THEY NEED.

>> GABE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, WHAT DO ANIMALS DO WHILE THEY'RE MIGRATING?

>> I THINK THAT'S AN EXCELLENT QUESTION.

WELL, FIRST OF ALL THEY'RE MOVING FOR THE MOST PART.

WHEN IT COMES TO BIRDS OR MAMMALS THAT ARE MOVING ACROSS THE LANDSCAPE, THEY'LL ALSO TAKE TIME TO REST.

SO THEY NEED TO DO EVERYTHING THEY'RE DOING WHETHER THEY'RE IN ONE SPOT AS WELL.

I THINK THEY NEED FOOD, WATER, SO THEY HAVE ENOUGH ENERGY TO KEEP MOVING TO DLAIR DESTINATION.

IT'S JUST, FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE GOING ON A LONG CAR RIDE YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE YOU TAKE THE TIME TO EAT FOOD, DERRICK WATER AND TAKE TIME TO USE THE WATER AND STOP AT A RESTAURANT.

>> OK.

LET'S GO TO OUR NEXT VIDEO QUESTION.

>> MY NAME IS TAYLOR FROM GRACE JORDAN ELEMENTARY.

MY QUESTION IS, WHY DO BIRDS FLY SOUTH DO, THEY FLY OTHER WAYS?

>> THEY DO.

SOME BIRDS, THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO SOUTH TO GET TO THE PLACE THEY FIND FOOD.

THERE'S A LITTLE SONGBIRD ABOUT THIS BIG, HE'S GOT A FUNNY NAME, A NORTHERN WHEAT EAR.

AND THEY DISCOVERED THE WHEAT EARS THAT NEST IN ALASKA WILL FLY ACROSS THE BERG STRAIT, ALL THE WAY ACROSS ASIA INTO AFRICA.

THAT'S A MIGRATION TO THE SOUTH AND WEST.

THERE'S ANOTHER GROUP OF WHEAT EARS THAT NEST IN CANADA, EASTERN SHORE CANADA AND THEY WILL FLY WEST TO REACH THE CENTRAL AFRICA.

SO THEY DON'T ALWAYS GO SOUTH.

BUT THEY'LL GO IN A DIRECTION THAT'S GOING TO TAKE THEM TO FIND THE HABITAT THEY NEED FOR THE WINTER TIME AND BACK FOR SUMMER.

>> I WOULD ADD ALSO THE GRAPHIC WE HAVE THERE OF SNOW GEESE, THERE ARE BIRDS THAT COME THROUGH IDAHO THAT ARE NESTING ON RANGLE ISLAND IN RUSSIA, AND YES, THEY'RE FLYING SOUTH, BUT THEY'LL FLY SOUTH AND EAST DOWN THE COAST, THEY WINTER IN CALIFORNIA, AND THEN SOME OF THEM RETURN INLAND, CROSS IDAHO, GO INTO MONTANA AND ALBERTA, AND THEY'LL FLY ALL THE WAY BACK TO WRANGLE ISLAND THAT WAY, SO THEY'RE MAKING A COUNTER CLOCKWISE ROUTE.

THEY'RE NOT GOING BACK THE SAME WAY THEY CAME.

>> THEY TAKE A DIFFERENT ROUTE HOME.

INTERESTING.

BRIDGE IT IN MRS.

HUDSON'S CLASS IN COEUR D'ALENE, HOW FAR CAN A BIRD FLY WITHOUT STOPPING?

>> WELL, WHAT ALWAYS AMAZES ME ABOUT MIGRATION, PARTICULARLY SONGBIRDS, SOME SONGBIRDS ARE TINY THINGS.

LITTLE BITTY GUYS.

SOME OF THESE SONGBIRDS WILL FLY ACROSS BIG CHUNKS OF WATER, PROBABLY THE MOST AMAZING ONE IS THE RUBY THROATED HUMMINGBIRD.

WE DON'T GET THEM IN IDAHO, BUT THEY'RE IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES.

THEY WEIGH AS MUCH AS A PENNY, AND THEY'LL FLY ACROSS THE GULF OF MEXICO NONSTOP.

THEY DON'T HAVE HUMMINGBIRD FEEDING STATIONS, SO THEY HAVE TO MAKE THE WHOLE JOURNEY.

SOME OF THESE BIRDS HAVE BEEN RECORDED TRAVELING ALMOST TWO FULL DAYS, 48 HOURS BEFORE THEY'LL TOUCH DOWN.

SO THEY HAVE TO HAVE A LOT OF ENERGY TO MAKE THOSE LONG TRIPS.

I THINK THAT'S AMAZING.

>> THAT IS AMAZING.

>> AN EMAIL FROM MRS.

ATTIC'S CLASS, ALEXA WOULD LIKE TO KNOW DO ANIMALS LIKE FISH AND CARIBOU TRAVEL TOGETHER TO MIGRATE?

ARE THERE SPECIES THAT PAIR UP WHEN THEY START MAKING THEIR MIGRATION?

>> I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY SPECIES, OTHER THAN WATERFOWL THAT DO.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT SPECIES OF WATERFOWL SO THE DUCKS IN THE PONDS AROUND TOWN, THEY WILL MIGRATE WITH OTHER SPECIES OF DUCKS, BUT I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH ANY FISH AND ANIMALS THAT MIGRATE AT THE SAME TIME OTHER THAN IF YOU WERE TO LOOK AT COASTAL BROWN BEARS, FOR EXAMPLE, THEY KEY IN ON THE MIGRATIONS OF SALMON SO THEY'RE MAKING SMALL MIGRATIONS TO RIVERS AND STREAMS TO ACCESS THE SALMON AND OTHER FISH.

>> I THINK THE HERDS OF DEER AND ELK MOVE AS GROUPS TOO.

>> TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ELK MIGRATION.

WHERE DO ELK GO?

BIRDS ARE FLYING FROM COLD TO WARM, ARE ELK DOING THE SAME THING?

>> THEY'RE GOING FROM COLD TO NOT SO COLD.

AND AS JEFF MENTIONED, A LOT DEPENDS ON HOW -- WHAT THE WINTER IS LIKE.

THEY MAY BE MOVING JUST AROUND TO AN AREA THAT'S MORE SOUTH FACING SO THERE'S LESS SNOW, THEY CAN GET TO GRASS MORE EASILY, BASK IN THE SUN AND WARM UP.

THAT KIND OF THING.

>> THOSE AREAS THAT ARE WARMING UP FASTER ARE GREENING UP FASTER SO THERE'S MORE FOOD ON THOSE SLOPES AS GLEL LET'S GO TO OUR NEXT VIDEO QUESTION FROM CASSIE.

>> HI.

MY NAME IS CASSIE.

GUY TO GRACE JORDAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

MY QUESTION IS, DO CHEETAHS MIGRATE?

>> I'M NOT AWARE THAT THEY DO.

I THINK -- I DON'T KNOW IF THEY FOLLOW A FOOD SOURCE, BECAUSE SOME OF THE BIG ANIMALS IN AFRICA LIKE ZEBRAS DO MIKE GRACE, AND I'M NOT SURE IF CHEETAHS FOLLOW THEM.

I BELIEVE LIONS DO, BUT I'M NOT SURE ABOUT CHEETAHS.

THAT'S A REALLY GOOD QUESTION.

I THINK CASSIE SHOULD GROW UP TO BE A WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST AND DISCOVER THAT FOR US.

>> WE HAVE ANOTHER CASSIE, ANIMALS DON'T HAVE GPS.

SO HOW DO THEY KNOW WHERE THEY'RE GOING?

>> WELL, LOTS OF DIFFERENT WAYS FOR THEM TO FIND THEIR WAY.

IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE TIME OF DAY WHEN THEY'RE MIGRATING.

IT COULD BE DURING THE DAY WHEN THEY COULD BE USING SUN OR LIGHT OR LANDMARKS, WHETHER IT'S A RIVER OR FORESTS.

OR IF THEY MIGRATE AT NIGHT THEY MIGHT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE STARS AS WELL AS THINGS LIKE THE POLE OF THE MAGNETIC -- THE PULL OF THE MAGNETIC POLES ON THE EARTH.

THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT CUES YOU CAN USE, JUST LIKE WE WOULD USE IF YES GOING TO THE GROCERY STORE TO FOLLOW A CERTAIN ROAD OR LANDMARK, WHETHER IT'S McDONALD'S OR WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE.

>> AN EMAIL FROM JACOB, HOW MANY ANIMALS DIE DURING MIGRATION?

CE CAN'T PROBABLY KNOW THE TOTAL NUMBER, BUT DO ANIMALS DIE DURING MIGRATION?

>> OH, SURE, THEY DO.

SOMETIMES IF THERE'S NOT AS MUCH FOOD ON THE AREA WHERE THEY'RE PREPARING TO MIGRATE, FOR EXAMPLE, THEY MAY NOT LEAVE WITH AS MUCH FAT AS THEY NEED TO GET THEM THROUGH THEIR ENTIRE MIGRATION.

THE SAME THING CAN HAPPEN ON THE OTHER END.

SAY YOU'RE IN CENTRAL AMERICA AND THERE ISN'T AS MUCH INSECT FOOD OR PLANT FOOD, YOU DON'T LEAVE IN AS GOOD OF SHAPE, SO ANIMALS WILL DIE.

THEY FLY INTO THINGS, THEY RUN INTO THINGS, ANTELOPE HAVE BEEN CAUGHT IN FENCES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THEY GET HIT BY CARS.

UNFORTUNATELY THEY DON'T ALL MAKE IT BACK.

>> OR AS VICKY MENTIONED, IN AFRICA LIONS ARE FOLLOWING HERDS OF OTHER ANIMALS SO THEY COULD BE EATING ALONG THEIR WAY AS WELL.

>> HALEY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, DOES A GROUP -- WHY DOES A GROUP OF BIRDS FLY IN THE SHAPE OF AN ARROW?

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE GEESE AND OTHERS THAT FLY IN THAT V-FORMATION.

>> THERE'S A THEORY THAT WHAT HAPPENS IS THE BIRD IN THE FRONT, AS EACH BIRD FLIES THERE'S A LITTLE VORTEX OF AIR THAT COMES OFF ITS WING TIPS, AND THE THOUGHT IS THROUGH PHYSICS THAT AS THE BIRDS FLY THE ONES BEHIND THE ONES IN FRONT BENEFIT AND IT MAKES IT EASIER FOR THEM TO FLY.

OF COURSE YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO BE THE BIRD IN FRONT ALL THE TIME BECAUSE YOU'LL GET TIRED.

THAT'S THE THEORY.

I DON'T KNOW, JEFF, IF YOU'VE HEARD ANYTHING DIFFERENT.

>> THAT'S THE THEORY OUT THERE, THAT NOT THE -- THE ONE LEAD BIRD HAS TO DO THE WORK, BECAUSE THEY'RE CUTTING THROUGH THE AIR, SO THERE IS TURBULENCE THERE.

AND THE BIRDS BEHIND THAT BIRD WILL BE ABLE TO DRAFT OFF THAT FIRST BIRD, AT LEAST THAT'S A TERM THAT'S USED.

I GUESS I WOULD ASK YOU, VICKY, DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE VS AND THERE'S ONE SIDE LONGER THAN THE OTHER, WHY IS THAT?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

MAYBE ONE IS LEFT-HANDED WINGED BIRD AND THE OTHER IS A RIGHT WINGED BIRD?

I DON'T KNOW.

>> YOU WATCH THEM CHANGE LEADERS SOMETIMES.

>> THE FIRST ONE GETS TIRED.

>> SURE.

SOMETHING ELSE BIRDS DO, ESPECIALLY HAWKS THAT MIGRATE AND SAND HILL CRANES, AND THEY'LL DO SOMETHING CALLED KETTLING WHERE YOU GET A BIG GROUP MOVING TOGETHER AND THEY'RE RIDING THE WARM AIR THAT'S RISING OFF THE LANDSCAPE.

AND SO YOU CAN WATCH THESE BIRDS AND THEY'LL FORM IN THESE BIG GROUPS, SOARING TOGETHER AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU SEE ONE TAKE OFF AND FOLLOW IN ANOTHER THEY'RE EXPHAL THEY'LL RISE UP AGAIN.

THEY CAN JUST MOVE THAT WAY ACROSS THE LANDSCAPE.

IT'S REALLY INTERESTING TO SEE.

>> HALEY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, ARE THE REASON WHY OTHER BIRDS AND ANIMALS MIGRATE BESIDES TO GET FOOD?

WE TALKED ABOUT MAYBE A PLACE TO HAVE YOUR KIDS.

>> THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE THE AREA THEY'RE GOING HAS GOOD FOOD FOR THEIR BABIES.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF BIRDS THAT NEST IN THE ARCTIC TUNDRA.

THAT'S BECAUSE THOSE LANDSCAPES ARE SO PRODUCTIVE IN THE SUMMERTIME THERE'S LOTS OF FOOD AROUND FOR THEM TO RAISE BABIES.

LOTS OF PRODUCTIVE FOOD, LOTS OF WATER AND SAFETY AS WELL.

SAFETY WOULD BE ANOTHER GOOD EXAMPLE WHY ANIMALS MOVE, AND THAT IS TO BE IN A LOCATION THAT'S AWAY FROM PREDATORS THAT'S SAFE FOR THOME RAISE BABIES.

>> LET'S GO TO OUR NEXT -- LET'S GO TO GABE.

>> HI, MY NAME IS GABE.

I GO TO GRACE JORDAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

MY QUESTION IS, DO SOME ANIMALS STAY, OR DO SOME ANIMALS MIGRATE?

>> NOT EVERY ANIMAL MIGRATES.

>> NO.

AND THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, GABE.

WE HAVE -- BACK TO THE BIRD WORLD, WE HAVE BIRDS THAT STICK AROUND ALL WINTER.

AND A LOT OF THEM, SUCH AS THE BLACK CAPPED CHICKADEE THEY CAN EAT A VARIETY OF FOODS.

IN SUMMER THEY MAY EAT BUGS, BUT IN THE WINTER THEY CAN EAT SEEDS, THEY FIND OTHER FOODS OUT AND ABOUT.

SO FOR THEM THEY DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF ANIMALS THAT THEY HAVE MANAGED TO HAVE A LIFESTYLE WHERE THEY CAN EAT A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS, SO THEY'RE NOT FORCED TO MOVE OUT WHEN THINGS GET COLD AND THE BUGS DIE OUT.

>> EMILIO ASKS A SIMILAR QUESTION.

BUT RACHEL WANTS TO KNOW, HOW ARE ANIMALS AFFECTED BY -- HOW ARE HUMANS AFFECTED BY ANIMAL MIGRATION?

>> THAT'S A REALLY GOOD QUESTION.

THERE WAS A SIGN IN THE VIDEO EARLIER THAT SHOWED ANIMAL MIGRATION CORRIDOR CROSSING A ROAD.

SO THERE ARE LOTS OF PLACES JUST OUTSIDE OF BOISE WHERE WE HAVE MULE DEER OR ELK, OR PRONG-HORN ANTELOPE THAT ARE CROSSING A ROAD.

SO PEOPLE DRIVING THOSE ROADS DURING MIGRATION SEASON REALLY HAVE TO BE PAYING ATTENTION TO THE ANIMALS CROSSING THE ROAD, BECAUSE THEY COULD CAUSE INJURY NOT ONLY TO THE ANIMALS BUT TO THEMSELVES IF THEY WERE TO HIT THEM WITH THEIR CAR.

>> I THINK TOO ABOUT HOW IT AFFECTS PEOPLE, IN THE WINTER -- I LOVE WINTER, BUT I'M ALWAYS READY FOR SPRING, AND THE WARMER WEATHER, AND WE START HEARING THE BIRDS, AND IT'S JUST A REALLY NEAT THING TO KEEP TRACK OF, WHAT ANIMALS ARE COMING BACK WHEN, AND YOU GET AN IDEA OF HOW FAR THE SEASON IS PROGRESSING.

PEOPLE ARE FASCINATED BY THAT FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

>> LET'S GET TO OUR FIRST PHONE CALLER.

CHEYENNE, HI.

WHERE ARE YOU CALLING FROM?

>> Caller: I WAS WONDERING WONDERING -- MIDDLETON.

>> OK.

GO AHEAD.

>> Caller: ARE THERE ANY BIRDS THAT DON'T MIGRATE?

>> GOOD QUESTION.

>> YEAH, THERE ARE BIRDS THAT DON'T MIGRATE.

AS VICKY MENTIONED EARLIER, THERE ARE PLENTY OF BIRDS THAT, FOR EXAMPLE, WE'RE HEARING -- HERE IN BOISE THERE ARE BIRDS THAT ARE ABLE TO EAT A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

CHICKADEES ARE A GOOD EXAMPLE, RED-TAILED HAWKS, THEY'RE ABLE TO FIND THEIR FOOD YEAR-ROUND SO THERE'S NO REASON FOR THEM TO MIGRATE.

THEY'RE ABLE TO FIND EVERYTHING THEY NEED HERE.

>> HOW ABOUT ALL THE GEESE IN THE PARK?

>> OH, YES.

>> THAT'S ACTUALLY A REALLY GOOD POINT.

>> YOU WOULD THINK THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO MIGRATE.

>> THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO.

BIOLOGISTS HAVE CALLED CANADA GEESE RESIDENT CANADA GEESE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

IT'S ACTUALLY NOT A VERY GOOD TERM.

WE EVENTUALLY -- ACTUALLY BAND ADD NUMBER OF CANADA GEESE.

WE PUT A RING ON THEIR LEG THIS PAST SUMMER AND SEVERAL SUMMERS IN A ROW NOW, AND WHAT WE'RE FINDING IS THAT PEOPLE ARE SEEING THOSE GEESE IN LOTS OF AREAS.

AND THEY RECOVER THE BANDS IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS.

THERE ARE BIRDS BORN HERE IN BOISE, THAT HAVE BEEN SEEN IN ALBERTA CANADA, AND WASHINGTON, OREGON, COLORADO, WYOMING, SO THEY'RE NOT JUST STAYING HERE IN BOISE, THEY'RE MOVING ALL AROUND AROUND.

>> AND SOMEBODY ELSE'S GEESE -- >> AND THE GEESE ARE ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF FINDING FOOD WHERE YOU FIND IT.

IF YOU LOOK AROUND TOWN, WE'VE TRADED PERFECT -- ALL THESE NICE GRASSY PARKS AND SOCCER FIELDS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE'VE CREATE ADD GREAT PLACE FOR THEM.

THEM.PGH.

>> LET'S GO TO AN YA, HER QUESTION.

>> HI.

I AM ANYA, FROM GRACE JORDAN ELEMENTARY.

MY QUESTION IS, DO WILD HORSES MIGRATE?

>> I REALLY DON'T NOTE ANSWER TO THAT.

I ASSUME THEY WOULD MIGRATE ELEVATIONALLY.

IF THEY'RE SPENDING THEIR SUMMER AT A HIGH ELEVATION THEY WOULD MIGRATE LOWER IN ELEVATION IN THE WINTER TIME TO FIND GRASS AND TO FIND MORE OPEN SLOPES WHERE THERE'S FOOD AVAILABLE.

BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THEY MIGRATE OVER A LARGE SPANS.

>> MIGRATION ISN'T NECESSARILY ABOUT DISTANCE, IT'S ABOUT MOVING FROM ONE HABITAT TO ANOTHER HABITAT.

>> AS JEFF MENTIONED, IT CAN BE UP OR DOWN OR THAT LONGER DISTANCE.

AND WHAT'S KIND OF FUN, WE HAVE A BIRD IN IDAHO THAT ACTUALLY GOES THE REVERSE MIGRATION.

INSTEAD OF GOING DOWN IN ELEVATION WHERE IT'S WARMER THEY GO UP THE MOUNTAINSIDE DURING THE WINTER TIME.

AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS FOOD.

IT CAN FIND THOSE WIND-BLOWN RIDGE TOPS PROVIDE THE FOOD THEY NEED IN THE WINTER TIME.

>> WE'RE ALMOST RUNNING OUT OF TIME AND I ALWAYS LIKE TO ASK, IF SOMEONE IS INTERESTED IN BECOMING A BIOLOGIST, WHAT SHOULD THEY DO?

>> FIND -- IF POSSIBLE, BIOLOGIST, GET TO KNOW THEM, ASK THEIR TEACHER HOW THEY CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH SOMEONE.

I THINK IF YOU CALLED SOMEONE LIKE VICKY OR THE FISH AND GAME SWREAD OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THAT OPPORTUNITY BY HAVING FOLKS LIKE US COME VISIT THE SCHOOLS AND TALK ABOUT IT, AND NUMBER ONE, JUST GET OUTSIDE AND ENJOY WHAT YOU DO, LEARN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN ABOUT WILDLIFE AND THE THINGS THAT INTEREST YOU OUTSIDE.

>> I WOULD AGREE.

SPEND TIME OUTDOORS.

YOU CAN BE A BIOLOGIST AT A REALLY YOUNG AGE.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT TO GO TO SCHOOL.

BE AN OBSERVER.

LOOK IN YOUR YARD.

I GOT TURNED ON TO BIOLOGY AS A FOURTH GRADER BECAUSE I'M A BIRD WATCHER.

AND I STARTED KEEPING A LIST AND IF YOU'RE AN ARTIST, MAKE DRAWINGS.

DO ALL THOSE THINGS.

COME AND TALK TO A BIOLOGIST.

WE LOVE TO TALK TO STUDENTS.

>> YOU'VE GOT -- FISH AND GAME HAS THEIR WILDLIFE EXPRESS.

>> YES.

>> IF YOU AND YOUR CLASSMATES WOULD LIKE ONE, WHERE CAN YOU GET ONE?

>> EVERY YEAR WE HAVE THESE THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR, AND YOUR TEACHER CAN GO ON OUR FISH AND GAME WEBSITE AND DOWNLOAD A SUBSCRIPTION FORM.

WE'D LOVE TO HAVE CLASSES DO THIS.

MONARCH BUT I FLIES ARE OUR APRIL ISSUE AND OUR MAY ISSUE IS ALL ABOUT FISHING.

>> WE'LL TALK ABOUT BUTTERFLIES HERE AT "D4K" IN MAY.

NEXT MONTH WE'LL TALK ABOUT IDAHO ECOSYSTEMS.

I APOLOGIZE I THINK WE'RE CLOSE TO RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

DO WE HAVE TIME FOR ONE MORE VIDEO QUESTION?

LET'S HEAR FROM CHRISTIAN.

>> MY NAME IS CHRISTIAN, AND I GO TO GRACE JORDAN ELEMENTARY.

MY QUESTION IS, WHY ARE SOME ANIMALS HIBERNATE INSTEAD OF MIGRATE?

>> WHY DO THEY HIBERNATE INSTEAD OF MIGRATE?

>> A LOT OF OUR HIBERNATORS TEND TO BE ANIMALS THAT DON'T MOVE REALLY FAST.

IF YOU'RE A CHIPMUNK, MIGRATING 100 MILES WOULD BE REALLY A LONG JOURNEY.

SO FOR THEM HIBERNATING, SNOOZING THROUGH THE WINTER IS A BETTER WAY TO SURVIVE THE WINTER.

AND BEARS ARE KNOWN FOR -- AREN'T KNOWN FOR BEING BIG LONG DISTANCE TRAVELERS.

SNOOZING THROUGH THE WINTER IS A BETTER STRATEGY THAN TRYING TO MOVE AGLOWND THAT COMES DOWN TO FOOD AVAILABILITY FOR BEARS.

THERE'S NOT AS MUCH FOOD AVAILABLE FOR THEM IN THE WINTER TIME.

SO IT'S EASIER.

>> AND WE'VE RUN OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU BOTH.

WE HAVE LOTS MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ANIMAL MIGRATION, YOU CAN CHEB OUT OUR WEB ONLY SHOW THAT WE'LL BE TAPING AFTER.

THIS ALSO GO TO THE WEBSITE, EXPLORE FACTS AND LINKS, MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ANIMAL MIGRATION AND OTHER TOPICS.

CHECK IT OUT AT IDAHOPTV.ORG AND CLICK ON "D4K."

LAST MONTH'S WINNER WAS MASON, AT HILLVIEW ELEMENTARY.

WHEN YOU SEND IN A QUESTION AND YOU YOUR CLASS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR OUR CONTEST.

YOU CAN WIN DVDs AND OTHER PRIZES JUST BY SENDING IN A QUESTION.

NEXT MONTH WE'LL BE TAKING THOSE QUESTIONS, ABOUT IDAHO ECOSYSTEMS.

SEND IN YOUR QUESTIONS NOW AND CHECK OUT MY BLOG.

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME ON "D4K."

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