Wait, I Hung Out With Thousands of Monarch Butterflies in Mexico and It Was Insane!

Here’s a fun fact: monarchs live shorter lives in summer but the ones born later take a special ‘pause’ mode, like a butterfly power nap, to survive winter and then fly all the way back north in spring. They’re basically nature’s superheroes on a relay race spanning generations!

This ‘pause’ is called diapause - and it’s not Netflix-watching lazy time; it literally slows their ageing so they can fly thousands of miles later. So those butterflies hanging out in Michoacán aren’t just chilling, they’re on a survival mission in slow-mo.

Oh, and heads up: don’t visit when it’s cloudy unless you want to see a butterfly party that’s more like a comfy huddle of still moths snoozing on branches. These guys love sunshine and warm vibes for flying. Visitors have been tricked by gloomy skies, so pick your day right!

Come spring, this whole cozy crowd wakes up, does the butterfly version of breakfast, then sends their kiddos heading north, laying eggs on the way, letting their great-great-grandkids finish the journey. It’s like the world’s longest family road trip but with wings.

Also, monarchs are basically globe-trotters - most hang out in North America but they’ve been spotted way over in places like Africa, Australia, and even Europe. Some even hang out year-round in warmer spots like Florida and the Caribbean. These little winged adventurers are everywhere!

Here’s why birds stay out of this orange party: monarch caterpillars munch on milkweed, which is basically butterfly poison. Birds find it super nasty and sometimes it messes with their hearts. So these butterflies come equipped with a natural ‘Do Not Eat’ badge in bright orange, letting them enjoy winter safe and sound. Nature’s way of saying ‘Hands off my snacks!’