Which Animals Use Starlight to Help with Navigation?

It’s not rocket science, but a male dung beetle’s quest to navigate a newly-formed ball of dung in a straight line -- in order to avoid marauders who might steal the dung, and to get back to his mate as quickly as possible -- does require a certain amount of expertise in celestial navigation. In a 2013 study published in Current Biology, zoologist Marie Dacke’s team determined the dung beetle can find its way using only the Milky Way as a guide. Birds, seals, and humans have been known to use stars for navigation, but this was the first evidence that insects can do so, too.

Rollin', rollin', rollin':

  • Researchers placed African dung beetles in a planetarium, and found that they could navigate just as easily with only the Milky Way visible as with a full starlit sky. Under overcast conditions, the beetles lost their way.
  • Dacke's previous research showed that dung beetles use the Moon and celestial polarization patterns to keep moving in a straight line. Now they know that nocturnal beetles can stay on course even on moonless nights.
  • “It was assumed insects could not use the stars because their eyes don’t have the resolution to see them,” explains Dacke. Navigating using the entire Milky Way eliminates the need to see individual stars, she says.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which animals are known to navigate using starlight?

Several animals are adept at using starlight for navigation, including some species of birds, sea turtles, and seals. Migratory birds, such as the indigo bunting, have been observed using constellations to guide their long journeys. Sea turtles utilize the stars to find their way across vast oceans, while seals may rely on celestial cues to orient themselves while swimming in open waters.

How do animals perceive starlight differently from humans?

Animals have evolved various sensory adaptations to perceive starlight in ways that humans cannot. For instance, certain birds possess a protein called cryptochrome in their eyes, which is sensitive to the blue light of the sky and helps them detect magnetic fields aligned with the stars. This allows them to effectively use starlight for nocturnal navigation, even on cloudy nights.

Can animals navigate using starlight during the daytime?

While starlight navigation is primarily associated with nocturnal activity, some animals can sense the position of the sun and use polarized light patterns in the sky, which are influenced by the stars, to navigate during the day. This ability is particularly useful for animals like bees and ants, which forage and travel in daylight hours.

What role does starlight play in the migration patterns of animals?

Starlight plays a crucial role in the migration of many nocturnal species. Birds, for example, use constellations to maintain a consistent direction during their long-distance flights. The North Star, being relatively fixed in the sky, serves as a reliable reference point for maintaining a straight migratory path, ensuring these animals reach their seasonal destinations.

Are there any documented cases of animals losing their way due to light pollution?

Yes, light pollution has been documented to disrupt the natural navigation abilities of animals that rely on starlight. For example, artificial lighting can disorient migratory birds, leading to collisions with buildings. Similarly, sea turtle hatchlings may head towards brightly lit shorelines instead of the ocean, resulting in increased mortality rates.

Is the ability to navigate by starlight a learned behavior or an innate one?

The ability to navigate by starlight is largely believed to be an innate behavior in animals. Studies suggest that these navigational skills are genetically encoded and manifest without the need for learning or experience. However, some species may refine their abilities through practice, enhancing their precision in using celestial cues for navigation.

More Info: New Scientist

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