---
title: "Ocean animal migrations"
description: "Describe ocean migrations linked to food and breeding. Some southern humpback whales travel between Antarctic feeding grounds and warmer breeding waters. Many female sea turtles nest near their hatchi"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/ocean-animal-migrations-mt_Te-ulgYMUd
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/ocean-animal-migrations-mt_Te-ulgYMUd.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Ocean animal migrations

Describe ocean migrations linked to food and breeding. Some southern humpback whales travel between Antarctic feeding grounds and warmer breeding waters. Many female sea turtles nest near their hatching area. Routes vary, and some journeys cover thousands of miles.

Subject: Science · Area: Ocean Life · Ages 9 to 11
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/ocean-animal-migrations-mt_Te-ulgYMUd

## Ready when they can

- Describe at least one example of marine animal migration in detail
- Explain that migrations are driven by seasonal food availability and breeding needs
- Explain that some ocean migrations cover thousands of miles, while routes and distances vary

## Lesson: The long journeys of ocean animals

Migration is a repeated journey between places, often linked to seasons. It can help ocean animals reach food or places to breed. A young fish drifting to a new reef may be moving to a new home. One such journey alone does not show a repeated migration.

**Example.** Some southern humpback whales feed near Antarctica during summer. They eat krill, tiny shrimp-like crustaceans. Many travel to warmer tropical waters in winter to breed and give birth. They return to cold feeding waters as the seasons change. Routes vary, and some one-way journeys cover thousands of miles.

*(drawing: Many southern humpbacks feed in cold summer waters, visit warmer winter breeding waters, then return to feeding grounds.)*

Many female sea turtles travel from feeding areas to nesting areas. They often return near the beach or region where they hatched. This does not mean the exact same patch of sand. They come onto land to lay eggs. Routes and distances vary between species and individuals.

*(drawing: Invented routes for comparing distances: whale, 4,000 miles; turtle, 1,000 miles. Real migration distances vary.)*

**Example.** A round trip includes the journey there and the journey back. If each part is 2,000 miles, add them: 2,000 + 2,000 = 4,000 miles. The number line counts total distance travelled, so both journeys add distance.

**Example.** To find how much farther one route goes, subtract the shorter distance from the longer distance. Imagine one-way routes of 2,400 miles and 900 miles: 2,400 - 900 = 1,500 miles farther. Compare two one-way distances or two round-trip distances, rather than mixing them.

**Recap.** Ocean migrations are repeated journeys linked to food and breeding. Routes vary. Some cover thousands of miles, and many female sea turtles nest near their hatching area.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [The Five Oceans](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/the-five-oceans-mt_8QOeG3CuKc)
- [Ocean Animal Adaptations](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/ocean-animal-adaptations-mt_9EoS35vaYB)
- [Animal Migration](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/animal-migration-mt_bK84sPehyP)
- [Ocean Food Webs](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/ocean-food-webs-mt_OnV_DTp5i8)

## Opens up

- [Predator Loss and Ecosystem Effects](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/predator-loss-and-ecosystem-effects-mt_NPTjGJIyb3)