Migrating Monarchs

2. True or false: Butterflies all over the world migrate to warmer climates during the winter.

• True.
  It's false. So far, scientists have found that only North American monarchs migrate. Monarchs living west of the Rocky Mountains migrate to California for the winter. While Monarchs living east and north of the Rockies migrate to Mexico for the winter. They travel a heck of a lot more than other tropical butterflies do -- up to three thousand miles in a year. Talk about a frequent flier!
• False.
  Right! So far, scientists have found that only North American monarchs migrate. Monarchs living west of the Rocky Mountains migrate to California for the winter. While Monarchs living east and north of the Rockies migrate to Mexico for the winter. They travel a heck of a lot more than other tropical butterflies do -- up to three thousand miles in a year. Talk about a frequent flier!

3. How far does the average monarch migrate each day?

• 100 miles.
  Not quite. Scientists think monarchs migrate about 50 miles a day. Did you know that monarchs gain weight during the 3,000 mile trip to Mexico? Talk about a slow metabolism!
• 25 miles.
  Make that a double. Scientists think monarchs migrate about 50 miles a day. Did you know that monarchs gain weight during the 3,000 mile trip to Mexico? Talk about a slow metabolism!
• 50 miles.
  Bingo! Scientists think monarchs migrate about 50 miles a day. Did you know that monarchs gain weight during the 3,000 mile trip to Mexico? Talk about a slow metabolism!
• 75 miles.
  Nope. Scientists think monarchs migrate about 50 miles a day. Did you know that monarchs gain weight during the 3,000 mile trip to Mexico? Talk about a slow metabolism!

4. Monarchs leave Mexico and return north for the summer during the second week of _________________.

• February.
  Nope. They leave their Mexican roosts in March and they fly northeast looking for milkweed plants on which to lay their eggs. All winter long, the monarchs have staved off predators and by the time spring comes they have reached sexual maturity. They mate along their return migratory route. Monarchs die soon after they mate and lay eggs.
• March.
  Yes! They leave their Mexican roosts in March and they fly northeast looking for milkweed plants on which to lay their eggs. All winter long, the monarchs have staved off predators and by the time spring comes they have reached sexual maturity. They mate along their return migratory route. Monarchs die soon after they mate and lay eggs.
• April.
  A little late. They leave their Mexican roosts in March and they fly northeast looking for milkweed plants on which to lay their eggs. All winter long, the monarchs have staved off predators and by the time spring comes they have reached sexual maturity. They mate along their return migratory route. Monarchs die soon after they mate and lay eggs.
• May.
  Nope. They leave their Mexican roosts in March and they fly northeast looking for milkweed plants on which to lay their eggs. All winter long, the monarchs have staved off predators and by the time spring comes they have reached sexual maturity. They mate along their return migratory route. Monarchs die soon after they mate and lay eggs.

5. It wasn't until __________ that scientists discovered the monarchs' final winter destination.

• 1945
  Nope. It wasn't until January 1975, after decades of research and traveling, that Kenneth C. Brugger found the butterflies' winter refuge in Mexico.
• 1955
  Nope. It wasn't until January 1975, after decades of research and traveling, that Kenneth C. Brugger found the butterflies' winter refuge in Mexico.
• 1965
  Nope. It wasn't until January 1975, after decades of research and traveling, that Kenneth C. Brugger found the butterflies' winter refuge in Mexico.
• 1975
  Yes! It wasn't until January 1975, after decades of research and traveling, that Kenneth C. Brugger found the butterflies' winter refuge in Mexico.