Which sanctuaries in Mexico do monarch butterflies select? Pie chart and butterfly sanctuary map.

Which sanctuaries do monarchs select? Pie chart and butterfly sanctuary map.

January 30, 2019: This winter's monarch colonies cover 15 acres (6.05 hectares) and contain an estimated 202 million butterflies. This map shows how the population is distributed.

Guiding Questions

How would you describe the distribution of monarchs in the winter sanctuaries?
What factors do you think might influence site selection?
Scientists can't predict which sanctuaries the monarchs will use in any particular year. How do you think distribution affects conservation decisions?