Butterflies live almost everywhere in the world except Antarctica, with a strong preference for warm regions. They thrive in diverse habitats such as rainforests, temperate and tropical forests, deserts, wetlands, grasslands, coastal areas, and even mountainous regions up to high elevations. Butterflies depend on sunshine and access to nectar-producing flowers, and some species have specific habitat requirements, while others are more adaptable. They usually stay close to their birth area but can migrate when necessary, like the Monarch butterfly. Butterflies are found in open sunny areas with natural vegetation like meadows, prairies, oak savannas, and gardens, often preferring places with a variety of plants and complex habitats where different ecosystems meet.