Have you ever noticed that herds of grazing animals all face the same way? Images from Google Earth have confirmed that cattle tend to align their bodies in a north-south direction. Wild deer also display this behaviour - a phenomenon that has apparently gone unnoticed by herdsmen and hunters for thousands of years. In the Proceedings for the National Academy of Sciences, scientists say the Earth's magnetic fields may influence the behaviour of these animals.
Have you ever noticed that herds of grazing animals all face the same way?
Images from Google Earth have confirmed that cattle tend to align their bodies in a north-south direction.
Wild deer also display this behaviour - a phenomenon that has apparently gone unnoticed by herdsmen and hunters for thousands of years.
In the Proceedings for the National Academy of Sciences, scientists say the Earth's magnetic fields may influence the behaviour of these animals.
a phenomenon that has apparently gone unnoticed by herdsmen
How many centuries of herdsmen's writings do they have to base that on?
It's actually well-known as a general tendency. But the slope plays a part too. On a steep south-facing slope, grazing animals won't position themselves with their heads downslope, because it's kind of inconvenient for browsing purposes. Er, and might end in serious accident, as in rolling arse over tit down the slope.
Well, sitting on a horse who's grazing on the flat. I don't have the teeth for grass.
