Cows with compasses

[scanker]

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.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7575459.stm

I'll have to check this next time I'm out and about.

 

[andy_e]

Is interesting that the researchers have the confidence to suggest this when by their own admission they can't tell one end of a cow from the other ...

...The scientists were unable to distinguish between the head and rear of the cattle...

 

[firecrest]

maybe its at times of the year? There is less sunlight glare if you are facing north or perhaps they are aligning themselves into the oncoming wind, or against it?

 

[gregorach]

More detail here - it certainly appears to be real, and to be magnetic rather than anything else - for one thing, they use the right declination. It's not sun as they do the same at night, and it's not wind as it was observed in hundreds of different locations with different prevailing winds.

 

[Shewie]

There was a herd of cattle all standing on a hill when an earthquake struck. All of the cows fell down, but the bull remained standing. The farmer noticing this went out and asked the bull, "Why didn't you fall down like the rest of the herd. The bull replied, "We bulls wobble, but we don't fall down."

:sulkoff:


Rich

 

[Barn Owl]

There was a herd of cattle all standing on a hill when an earthquake struck. All of the cows fell down, but the bull remained standing. The farmer noticing this went out and asked the bull, "Why didn't you fall down like the rest of the herd. The bull replied, "We bulls wobble, but we don't fall down."

:sulkoff:


Rich

Like it Rich.

 

[JonnyP]

 

[JonnyP]

Looked over the fields and most of the cows are in fact facing north, but some are facing south... Tis interesting, the whole herd are either facing north or south...

 

[dwardo]

I would guess that they get the maximum ammount of sun on their sides so keeping them warmer if they faced north or south

 

[dwardo]

double post please can an admin remove cheers