Did you know that our senses include the perception of the magnetic field? While we have almost lost this ability already, dogs still have it and use it every day. Do you know for what?
Maybe you have noticed that your dog partner sometimes takes quite a while before he finds the right spot to do his needs. And that's just the effect of a magnetic field. Since dogs take up such a position doing so, that their body is directed into a certain direction towards the Earth’s magnetic field.
Sounds unbelievable, right? However, a recent Czech-German scientific study proved, that dogs are sensitive to small changes in the Earth's magnetic field, which in turn affects the way they “go to the toilet”. A team of scientists found out after several years of monitoring of dogs, that if the magnetic field is calm, the dogs prefer to align their body on the axis from the North to the South when doing their needs. However, if the magnetic field becomes unstable, dogs have no directional preference.
Scientists from the Czech Agricultural University and the German University of Duisburg-Essen wrote in the context of publication in the scientific journal Frontiers in Zoology online, that measuring of the direction of the axis of the body was carried out in 70 dogs of 37 breeds during defecation (1 893 observations) and urination (5 582 observations) over a two-year period. Collected data was sorted according to geomagnetic conditions in the individual periods of data collection. Directional preferences of the dogs in various conditions of the magnetic field were then analysed and tested using a circular statistics.
Based on this research, the scientists came to the conclusion that the behaviour of dogs is predictable based on fluctuations in the magnetic field. However, they are not sure why dogs are adapting to it while carrying out their needs. Whether they do it consciously (i.e. if they see or feel the direction of the compass in any way) or subconsciously (whether the direction is controlled on an autonomic level - they only feel better or worse when facing a certain way). The analysis of the collected data only shows that dogs prefer the North-South direction and at the same time they avoid the East-West direction.
This magnetic positioning has been observed also in other mammals besides dogs, for example, in cattle or deer. Foxes plan the hunting trajectory precisely based on the magnetic field. In turn, wolves have extremely large territories. This suggests that they have excellent orientation skills, in which the scientists also see also a link with the perception of the magnetic field.
In any case, based on this discovery, the scientists established, that new horizons have opened up in magneto-biological research.
What do you think about it? Have you noticed that your dog always turns in the same direction when doing his needs? Try to notice it and share your experience!
If you have decided to buy a purebred cat, you still have a lot of questions ahead of you. Which breed should you choose? A female cat or a tomcat? A kitten or an adult? Only if you consider everything carefully, you'll get the right companion for...
Lots of rabbit lovers choose this breed mainly by its appearance. The cuter, the better. But maybe they don’t know that a certain kind from the order of lagomorphs lives in nature, and hardly any domestic rabbit can match it in its cuteness. The same...
If you've noticed that your fluffy friend excessively licks and nibbles at his paws, you should not leave it like that. It might have several causes. Whether it's a psychological problem, allergy, yeast or other problem, the situation must be...
Did you know that our senses include the perception of the magnetic field? While we have almost lost this ability already, dogs still have it and use it every day. Do you know for what?
The British Shorthair cat is without a doubt the most popular cat breed not only in the Czech Republic, but also in the rest of Europe. This is caused not only by its appearance of a small Teddy bear, but also a mild, trouble-free nature.
In individual rodents, we’ll find breeds that are more popular with breeders than others. One of those is the American Teddy, typical with its peculiar hair structure that gives it the appearance of a teddy bear.
There is certainly no doubt that the Labrador belongs among the best known and most popular dog breeds. The reason is his extraordinary versatility, adaptability, intelligence and loyalty. Like the British Shorthair cat, the Labrador Retriever can be...
To spend a few days outside of civilisation - in the forest, on the ridges of the mountains - away from the hustle of the cities, in the wilderness and ideally with your dog. An imaginary return back to nature is the trend that did not avoid even the...
Hunting and exercise. If the dog loves both these activities, then coursing is the perfect activity for it. This cross-country race is based exactly on the desire of the dog to catch its prey.
No matter how thorough we are with the prevention, a situation might come up when a dog or a cat will get to a poisonous thing, whether it’s by our inattention or it's somebody else’s fault. That’s why it’s not off-topic to prepare yourself for the...
Under the name of dogtrekking, imagine an orientation walk with the dog. Official rules rank it among extreme dog endurance sports.
There may be more causes of dog fear. And the first step to eliminate it is to find out its origin and cause.
