How Far Do Animals Travel from Their Homes?

Many small rodents live their entire lives without traveling more than 20 feet from their birthplaces. Yet there are some types of whales, humpback whales for example, who travel across the oceans of the world and cover more than 4,000 miles in one year!

However, that record would not impress the Arctic terns, who are the champion long distance travelers of the world. The terns breed on the far north islands of the Arctic Ocean, then journey to the opposite end of the world, the Antarctic. Months later, they return north. This journey, 11,000 miles, is made twice a year!