We all know that getting from A to B can be a slog, but spare a thought for the animals that cover thousands of miles each year in pursuit of food, shelter and mates. Many of these trips make Frodo’s journey to Mordor look like an afternoon stroll.

It is tricky to pin down the animal that makes the longest journey, for two reasons.

First, some animals make their journeys in stages, so you can get bogged down in arguments about exactly what constitutes a “journey”. Is it more impressive to do 2,000 miles in 2 runs, or 1,500 miles continuously? Exactly.

Secondly, travelling on land is not the same as travelling at sea, or in the air. For example, aerial and marine animals can get a helping hand from strong winds and currents, while land animals do everything under their own steam.

So the ultimate traveller is partly a matter of opinion. But these are the contenders. Let’s start in the sea.

Whales clock up some serious mileage on their seasonal migrations. Grey whales were previously thought to be the record holders, but their title was snatched in 2007 byhumpback whales. A study tracked them travelling at least 5,160 miles (8,299 km) between Costa Rica and Antarctica. This is the longest migration of any mammal.

The annual movement of caribou 2,982 miles across North America is the current record holder for terrestrial migration

However, the whales have been topped by a fish: specifically, thegreat white shark. One female – delightfully, nicknamed “Nicole” – was recorded swimming around 11,100 km (6900 miles) from South Africa to western Australia, and then back again within nine months.

Even more impressively, a femaleleatherback turtle was similarlyfollowed on a journey of 12,744 miles (20,500 km) from its Indonesian breeding ground to feed off the Pacific coast of the US by researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, US.

A huge variety of lifeforms in the ocean follow seasonal patterns of movement, but some cover great distances daily. These journeys take place at night as plankton and fish move vertically from the safety of the deep ocean to feed nearer the surface. But tracking tiny sea creatures is a big challenge. Scientists investigating the phenomenon are hoping sound can help them understand these underwater commuters.

What about land animals?

On land, wet and dry seasons prompt the looping 1,800-mile (3,000km) mass migrations of blue wildebeest in East Africa.

That is an impressive trip, but the annual movement of caribou 2,982 miles (4800km) across North America is the current record holder for terrestrial migration according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

The ruby-throated hummingbird has an estimated flight range of around 1,400 miles

Yet these journeys are naturally restricted where the land meets the sea. For ultimate travel freedom, you need to take to the wing.

One of the most visually appealing migrations is that of monarch butterflies, which fly 2,500 miles (4,000km) from Mexico to Canada, and back each year. Similarly, in exceptional summers painted lady butterflies can travel from the deserts of north Africa to the Arctic Circle on a round trip of 9,300 miles (15,000km).

The appropriately-named globe skimmer dragonfly is considered the insect with the longest migration route, possibly exceeding 11,100 miles (18,000km) as they travel from India to east Africa and back. But like the butterflies, these insects are ephemeral and cannot withstand the entirety of such journeys. Instead, the full annual trek is covered by successive generations.

When it comes to epic journeys as individuals, birds are the ultimate champions.

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