How Do Mole-Rats Use Magnetism Underground?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How do mole-rats use magnetism underground?

The Big Idea

Deep underground, there are animals that live in total darkness. Ansell's mole-rats in Africa live in dark tunnels and have very poor eyesight. How do they know which way to go? Let's find out!

Living in the Dark

Step one: living in the dark. Ansell's mole-rats live in dark tunnels in Africa and have very poor eyesight. Stars and the Sun cannot help them down there.

Nests in the Southeast

Step two: nests in the southeast. Scientists noticed that they tend to build their nests in the southeast part of their burrows. They seem to use Earth's magnetic field as a compass in the dark.

Testing It

Step three: testing it. Researchers tested this by placing mole-rats in a chamber with a changed field. The animals changed where they built their nests.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! The mole-rat lives in a tunnel. It cannot see the stars. It feels the magnetic field. It builds its nest in a chosen spot.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Magnetic fields reach underground, where light and stars cannot. Nests tend to be in the southeast. When the field changed, the nests moved. That suggests a magnetic compass.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Imagine a dark tunnel. Draw a mole-rat's nest. Write how it could use a magnetic compass to pick a direction. Share your idea. Share your results with someone you love.

Outro

Mole-rats seem to use Earth's magnetic field as a compass in their dark tunnels. Science is amazing! Stay curious! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!