Some species, such as fish, birds, bats, and insects, often live in large flocks of millions to billions. But, to which animal do the largest herds in the animal kingdom belong? Let's find out together!
1. Sardines
Famous for their habit of living and migrating in large herds, sardines are probably the top species in terms of "terrible". From May to July every year, they gather in herds and start migrating to hot waters to breed and feed. Schools of sardines can be up to 15km long, 3.5km wide and up to 40 meters deep. The migration of these huge schools of fish is so large that it can be seen from satellites.
Schools of sardines can be up to 15 km long, 3.5 km wide and up to 40 meters deep.
The sardines migration lasted several days. Their flocks numbered in the millions, rushing through the ocean creating a spectacular sight. When encountering enemies or obstacles such as sharks, dolphins, whales or buzzards, the sardines form a giant ball, billowing away. Living in groups is a very effective defense method for sardines, as a large school of fish will not be able to be eaten by large fish to extinction. By keeping them close together, schools of sardines are less likely to be caught, each individual is more susceptible to being eaten than a large group, and this tactic is enough to deter potential hunters.
2. Bats
Bats are highly social animals, so they often live in large flocks.
Bats often live in large flocks, which can number up to millions. This is the result of scientific research showing that bats are highly social animals. After forming a swarm, they will divide into small groups, consisting of about 20 animals. Bats can also leave their group to join another group if the relationship in the swarm breaks down. Bats distinguish group members from other groups by the difference in hissing. Even if they don't see each other for a long time, they still find a way to return to their "family" members.
The largest bat colony in the wild is the Bracken Bat Cave in Texas, with a population of 20 million. In just one night, these bats can consume 200 tons of food.
3. Grasshopper
Grasshoppers are usually solitary but will gather in swarms when it comes to mating season.
Grasshoppers usually live alone. But when stimulated, they clump together in groups and can become a major threat to humans. The fact that grasshoppers gather in swarms has a great relationship with their egg-laying habits. When it comes to mating season, grasshoppers often choose places with hard soil, relative humidity and plenty of sunlight to lay their eggs. Locusts often focus on laying eggs in mass on a not very large area. In addition, because this area is small, the humidity difference is very small, causing the eggs to hatch simultaneously and the newly born grasshoppers have formed the habit of living together, following the herd.
On the other hand, grasshoppers live in groups because of physiological needs. They need a relatively high body temperature to function. Therefore, living in groups will help them maintain their body temperature better.
4. Argentinian Ants
Scientists have found a huge colony of Argentine ants with an ant population that could cover almost the whole world. The largest ant colony can extend nearly 6,000 km along the Mediterranean coast. This is a combination of thousands of other nests linked together. They have lived in a very large community with the number of billions of individuals.
Argentinian ants can gather in groups of up to billions.
This ant is ready to tear other groups of species to pieces if it accidentally invades their territory. However, when these Argentine ants met their compatriots in Japan, they became acquainted very quickly.
5. Wildebeest
Wildebeest live in open lowlands and woodlands in many parts of Africa south of the Sahara. However, with a relatively large number of individuals in the wild, wildebeest are an important source of food for animals such as lions, leopards, hyenas, crocodiles...
Wildebeest live in large herds to avoid being caught by predators.
As a result, wildebeest often live in large herds, in many cases even pairing with zebra herds to create a strong community. They do this to reduce the risk of being hunted by predators. The main purpose of this grouping strategy is mainly to reduce visibility in areas that are open to predators. The presence of thousands of wildebeest will reduce lions' predation of their young as well as that of zebras, leading to a greater chance of survival for the young.
