Animal Navigation: Magnetic Sense

The journeys that animals make in both migration and homing are amazing. From the multi‐ generational migration of monarch butterflies to the annual migrations of whales through the southern oceans, each journey brings enormous challenges and expenditure of energy ‐ yet overall, is beneficial to the species.

Here in New Zealand we are familiar with migratory birds such as the kūaka (bar‐tailed godwit) with its international migration between New Zealand and Alaska, as well as species such as the ngutuparore (wrybill) which migrate within New Zealand.

Understanding how and why animals make these journeys has challenged scientists for many years. The energy expenditure and risk associated with migration is enormous. Yet we know that in a biological system this behaviour would not have evolved unless the advantage outweighed the risk. Understanding how animals navigate these journeys involves looking into the sensory perception of each species. One of the most fascinating is magnetic sense, known to be used by bacteria, insects and animals. This tells us that it is a sense that evolved very early.   

These resources will encourage you to explore what is known about magnetic sense and how scientists go about finding out more about how animals detect, process and use information about the Earth’s magnetic field.