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Do cows align with Earth’s electromagnetic field? Researchers answer

Published 16/01/2025 às 11:00
Cattle
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A curious behavior of cows intrigues scientists: do they align themselves with the Earth's magnetic field? The answer may surprise you.

In 2008, a group of scientists made an intriguing discovery while studying the behavior of deer and cattle. By analyzing how these animals graze and rest, they noticed something peculiar: both tend to align their bodies in the direction North South, something that until then had received little scientific attention.

A search, published in a detailed study, highlighted observations made both in the field and using satellite imagery from Google Earth.”Farmers and attentive observers have noticed that cattle and sheep, when grazing, tend to position themselves in the same direction.”, the authors wrote.

They also mentioned that wind and sunlight were traditionally believed to influence this orientation.

In-depth investigation

To confirm the observed pattern, the researchers analyzed deer tracks left in the snow and reviewed aerial images of cows grazing in different regions of the world.

They tried to isolate variables such as wind and solar position, but the data revealed that the animals exhibited a consistent alignment with Earth's magnetic field.

"We found that climatic factors do not fully explain this behavior.”, the team concluded. “The magnetic field emerges as the most likely element.”

The idea that animals can respond to Earth's magnetism is not new. Several studies show that migratory birds, for example, use this ability to orient themselves during long-distance flights.

However, the possibility that cattle and deer have this sensitivity aroused curiosity, as these are significantly larger animals with very different behavior patterns.

Disruptions in alignment

In a complementary study, the scientists identified that magnetic orientation behavior can be disrupted by low-frequency magnetic fields, such as those generated by high-voltage power lines. However, the exact mechanism behind this orientation is still a mystery.

Several hypotheses have been suggested. One of them, called the “radical pair hypothesis”, proposes that magnetic perception is linked to vision.

According to this idea, magnetic fields can be perceived as visual patterns, which vary according to the direction and intensity of the magnetic field. Thus, interference could compromise this perception.

Disputed studies

Despite the initial enthusiasm, subsequent studies have cast doubt on the earlier conclusions. A new investigation attached neodymium magnets to 34 cows to test whether the magnetism directly influenced their orientation.

The results showed no directional preference, regardless of whether the animals wore the magnets or not.

Furthermore, an analysis in Portugal, with 2.428 observations of 659 cows, indicated that these animals preferred to align themselves in a southeast direction on hot days.

The conclusion suggested that the behavior was more related to thermoregulation than magnetic orientation.”Cows may simply be adjusting their position to minimize sun exposure.”, the authors stated.

This pattern of behavior has also been observed in other animals, such as antelopes and wildebeests, reinforcing the hypothesis that the direction of the sun directly influences the posture of animals in search of thermal comfort.

What we know so far

While the idea of ​​cows as “living compasses” has generated a lot of interest, more recent studies suggest that thermoregulation plays a more important role than previously thought.

Still, research on magnetoreception in large mammals is just beginning, and more investigations will be needed to unravel the enigma.

For now, it’s best not to rely on cattle to help you navigate the wild. After all, as studies show, cows’ positioning can be influenced by factors as varied as the heat of the sun or the proximity of a refreshing shade.

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Antonio Carlos
Antonio Carlos
16/01/2025 16:28

No sense for a **** to do that. What would he gain from it?

Antonio Carlos
Antonio Carlos
16/01/2025 16:31

I discovered that I can't write you here, what kind of world is this???😛

Fabio Lucas Carvalho

Journalist specializing in a wide range of topics, such as cars, technology, politics, shipbuilding, geopolitics, renewable energy and economics. I have been working since 2015 with prominent publications in major news portals. My degree in Information Technology Management from Faculdade de Petrolina (Facape) adds a unique technical perspective to my analyses and reports. With over 10 thousand articles published in renowned media outlets, I always seek to bring detailed information and relevant insights to the reader. For story suggestions or any questions, please contact me by email at flclucas@hotmail.com.

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