Sharks use Earth’s magnetic field as ‘GPS’ guidance system
- Posted By
10Pointer
- Categories
Science & Technology
- Published
18th May, 2021
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Context
Scientists have concluded that sharks possess an internal navigation system which is similar to GPS that allows them to use Earth’s magnetic forces to travel.
Key findings
- The research helps to explain the reason behind the sharks travel across vast oceans and its return to exactly the same location annually to feed, breed and give birth.
- It suggests that they can differentiate geographic locations using map information from the geomagnetic field.
- Sharks have a magnetic sense to steer themselves similar to those found in sea birds, lobsters and turtles.
Animal Navigation
Animal navigation is the ability of many animals to find their way accurately without maps or instruments. Some to the means of navigation can be as follows:
- Remembered landmarks
- Orientation by the sun
- Orientation by the night sky
- Orientation by polarised light
- Olfaction
- Gravity receptors
- Way-marking
- hydrodynamic reception
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Some information regarding Sharks
- IUCN completed a global Red List assessment in 2014.
- It was conduction for almost 465 species of shark and 576 species of the closely-related rays, skates, and chimaeras.
- The assessment concluded that 74 species of shark are classified as threatened species (Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered).
- They are substantially at higher risk of extinction than most other vertebrate groups.
