Bats may use magnetic polarity for navigation

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Experimental setup showing the bats roosting chamber with the bats gathered at one end of the basket in response to the polarity of the induced magnetic field. Credit: Yinan Wang et al.
Experimental setup showing the bats’ roosting chamber, with the bats gathered at one end of the basket in response to the polarity of the induced magnetic field. Credit: Yinan Wang, et al.

Researchers have found that bats have a special ability to detect the polarity of a magnetic field, meaning that the creatures can tell the difference between north and south. The only other animal known to have this ability is the mole rat, while birds, fish, amphibians, and all other non-mammals possess a different version of the magnetic compass.


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