NEW YORK, Feb. 14 -- Dancing turtles have proved for the first time that some animals use Earth's magnetic field to create a personal map of their favourite spots, scientists said Wednesday.
Some animals that migrate across the globe - such as birds, salmon, lobsters and sea turtles - are known to navigate using the magnetic field lines that stretch from Earth's north to south pole.
Scientists knew the animals used this magnetic information as a compass to establish where they were. Now they increasingly believe the turtles are also able to plot a magnetic map featuring important places such as nesting or feeding spots.
This would require the migratory animals to "learn the magnetic coordinates of the destination," according to a study i...