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Updated: Jul 2, 2026
09:09
Protocol for Assessing the Relative Effects of Environment and Genetics on Antler and Body Growth for a Long-lived Cervid
Published on: August 8, 2017
Magnetic alignment in grazing and resting cattle and deer
Sabine Begall1, Jaroslav Cerveny, Julia Neef
1Department of General Zoology, Faculty of Biology and Geography, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany. sabine.begall@uni-due.de
Summary
Large mammals like cattle and deer align their bodies north-south. This magnetic alignment, observed globally, suggests a sensitivity to Earth's magnetic field, impacting animal behavior studies.
Area of Science:
- Zoology
- Ethology
- Geophysics
Background:
- Large mammals exhibit complex behaviors influenced by environmental factors.
- Understanding animal orientation is crucial for ethology and conservation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the body axis orientation of domestic cattle and wild deer.
- To determine if this orientation aligns with Earth's magnetic field lines.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of satellite imagery and field observations.
- Measurement of animal resting sites ('deer beds') in snow.
- Assessment of body orientation in relation to geographic and magnetic north.
Main Results:
- Cattle (n=8,510) and deer (n=2,974) globally align their body axes approximately north-south.
- Roe deer were observed orienting heads northward while grazing or resting.
- Magnetic north, not geographic north, was a better predictor in areas of high magnetic declination.
Conclusions:
- Large mammals demonstrate a ubiquitous magnetic alignment phenomenon.
- This finding suggests magnetoreception in mammals and has implications for animal welfare and husbandry.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the proximate mechanisms of magnetoreception.
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