August 21, 2005

In all the world, no butterflies migrate like the monarchs of North America. They travel up to three-thousand miles twice a year: south in the fall and north in the spring. To avoid the long, cold northern winters, monarchs west of the Rocky Mountains winter along the California coast. Those east of the Rockies fly south to the mountain forests of Mexico. Unlike migrating birds and whales, however, individual monarchs only make the round-trip once. It is their great-grandchildren that return south the following fall.

Children’s Butterfly Site
“Despite their small size, butterflies and moths are some of the world’s most wondrous animals. Their beauty, seemingly miraculous metamorphosis, and apparently carefree flight all spark our imaginations.” Entomologist Dr. Paul Opler answers children’s questions about butterflies (”How do butterflies go to the bathroom?”) and tells the butterfly life cycle story through click-and-print coloring pages. Be sure to visit the photo gallery.

[Continue reading Monarch Butterflies]

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