Do Animals Move Up and Down Mountains?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Do animals move up and down mountains?

The Big Idea

Yes, many mountain animals follow the seasons up and down the slopes! This yearly up-and-down trip is called altitudinal migration. Let's follow along.

Summer Up High

Step one: summer up high. In summer, elk and bighorn sheep climb to meadows. They find fresh grass and cooler air, and fewer biting bugs.

Winter Down Low

Step two: winter down low. In winter, they move down where there is less snow and more food. Deep snow up high would be hard to walk through, and food would be buried under it.

Birds Too

Step three: birds too. Some birds also move up in summer and down in autumn. This short trip is much shorter than a long-distance flight, but it is still a migration.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! In spring, animals follow the melting snow uphill, nibbling new plants. In summer, they enjoy the high meadows. In fall, they start moving down. And in winter, they stay in the lower valleys.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Some animals move several thousand feet up and down each year. Altitudinal means having to do with height. Following the food helps young animals grow strong, so they can survive the cold season. Wildlife should always have lots of space, so keep your distance.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Draw an elk in summer at the top of a mountain. Draw it again in winter at the bottom, with an arrow between. Add a label for each season, then tell a grown-up how the elk knows when to move! Share what you discover with a grown-up.

Outro

Mountain animals travel up and down with the seasons. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!