Lobster Compasses
You've heard of homing pigeons, but
how about homing lobsters? Researchers have recently discovered that the Caribbean
spiny lobster has an uncanny homing ability. There is an apparent sensing of the
earth's magnetic field, because even when the lobster is far removed from its place
of origin, it immediately heads on a bearing that will take it home. The theory
has been tested by noting that inserting magnets, with powers similar to the earth's
own, near the lobster throws off the homing ability. If the local magnetic field
is adjusted to match that of the "known" location, the lobster will take off toward
the simulated homeland. This is quite a feat for an invertebrate, which is generally
considered to be amongst the lowest of life forms (politicians, lawyers, etc.).
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