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Google Earth Proves Cows Detect Magnetic Fields

Mountain View : CA : USA | Aug 26, 2008 at 2:38 AM PDT

By jzahir

3 1

In one of the less conventional uses of Google Earth, zoologists have studied enough herds of cows to deduce that they tend to align themselves in a north-south fashion like compass needles. Unfortunately, Google Earth does not allow high enough resolution to judge if cow heads always point north or always south.

This deduction has been made by observing 8510 cows in 308 herds the world over. The compass-like alignment was discovered to be true on average in two out of three cases.

And it's not just the cows, a separate study has found similar results for deer.

Scientists have always been aware of the sense of magnetic alignment present among smaller animals such as birds and insects. This capability is vital to their ability to navigate.

It's not clear why larger creatures benefit from it. Perhaps they have magnetic particles embedded within them? Perhaps it helps them find their way home.

In any case, be careful about how you pose for the Google Earth satellite. You never know what conclusion scientists will come to about you.

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North-South

jzahir is based in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, and is a Stringer for Allvoices.

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