Loggerhead turtles, large oceanic reptiles, navigate using Earth’s magnetic field. A Nature study revealed they learn magnetic signatures, performing a "turtle dance" near feeding sites. They have a magnetic map, unaffected by radio frequency interference, and a compass that is disrupted. This dual mechanism supports migrations and return to nesting beaches.
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Loggerhead Turtles Use Earth’s Magnetic Field to Navigate
Loggerhead turtles learn and remember magnetic signatures of locations, performing a "turtle dance" when near food sources, according to a study published in Nature.
Researchers explored how these migratory animals use Earth’s magnetic field as both a map and compass for long-distance travel.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina housed juvenile turtles in tanks with magnetic fields mimicking specific geographic areas.
The turtles spent equal time in two fields but were fed only in one. They danced when in the "feeding" field, proving they distinguish magnetic signatures and create an internal "magnetic map."
The team discovered loggerheads use two separate mechanisms:
The study suggests turtles depend on different biological processes for mapping and compass functions.
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Loggerheads migrate thousands of miles to return to feeding sites. Understanding their magnetic navigation could inform conservation efforts and reveal insights into animal behavior across species. |
They are large oceanic reptiles found worldwide in warm waters.
They are the largest hard-shelled turtle in the world.
It is the second largest turtle overall, after the leatherback sea turtle, which has a soft shell.
The adults weigh up to 135 kg and measure 90–95 cm long. The largest ever recorded weighed 545 kg) and was 213 cm long.
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Status: Vulnerable (IUCN) |
Loggerheads live in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea. They prefer:
Omnivorous, feeding on:
Some Facts
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Consider the following statements about loggerhead turtles: 1. They are exclusively herbivorous. 2. Nesting occurs nocturnally on sandy beaches. 3. Hatchlings use Earth’s magnetic field for navigation. 4. Their sex is determined by nest temperature. How many of the above statements are correct? A) Only one B) Only two C) Only three D) All four Answer: C Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect: Loggerhead turtles are not exclusively herbivorous. They are actually omnivorous, but mainly carnivorous. Their diet consists mainly of shellfish like crabs, clams, and snails, as well as jellyfish and other invertebrates. They do eat some seaweed, but it's not their main food source. Statement 2 is correct: Nesting occurs nocturnally on sandy beaches. Female loggerheads come out of the ocean at night to lay their eggs on sandy beaches. They need soft sand to dig their nests. Statement 3 is correct: Hatchlings use the Earth’s magnetic field for navigation. They use the magnetic field to orient themselves and find their way in the vast ocean, especially during their long migrations. Statement 4 is correct: Their sex is determined by nest temperature. This is called temperature-dependent sex determination. Warmer nest temperatures tend to produce more females, while cooler temperatures produce more males. |
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