Uncovering the Secret of Shark Navigation

Sharks travel considerable distances and many return to the same area each year. How they have been able to do so has been a mystery for many years. Researchers from the US have discovered that sharks utilise the earth’s magnetic fields which help them to navigate in unfamiliar territories. It also provides insight as to why sharks of the same species are genetically distinct from each other. The magnetic fields act as a map but more research is needed as to how they detect the magnetic fields. This research was first published in Current Biology.

When great white sharks migrate, they travel great distances, up to 2,500 miles annually. This is just one example of the need to utilise impressive navigation skills.

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