Can Sharks Use a Magnetic Map to Swim Home?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Can sharks use a magnetic map to swim home?

The Big Idea

Sharks swim across huge oceans and somehow find their way home. Scientists wondered if they might use a magnetic map. Here is how they tested some small sharks to find out!

Catch and Test

Step one: catch and test. Scientists caught small bonnethead sharks and placed them in a tank where they could change the magnetic field. The sharks are small and harmless to people.

A Faraway Field

Step two: a faraway field. When the field matched a place far north of where the sharks were caught, the sharks swam south. They swam toward home.

A Magnetic Map

Step three: a magnetic map. This suggests that sharks can read a magnetic map. Sharks also use smell and sense tiny electric signals in the water.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! A small shark swims in a tank. The magnetic field is changed. The shark acts as if it were far from home. It turns toward home.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Bonnethead sharks are small and harmless to people. Sharks also use smell. They sense tiny electric signals in the water. A magnetic map may help them find home.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Draw a map with a shark's home on the south side. Show a shark far to the north. Show how it would turn south after sensing the field. Add arrows. Then explain what you learned to a friend.

Outro

Bonnethead sharks seem to read a magnetic map to swim toward home. Science is amazing! Keep wondering and keep exploring! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!