More “Did You Knows”!

Maybe you’ve seen flocks of birds flying overhead to mark the changing of seasons or read about salmon fighting upstream to return to their birthplaces, but exactly how do these animals navigate in the midst of long distances and shifting geological conditions?

In some cases, there are strong olfactory senses in play; a salmon can detect a drop of water from its natal source in 250 gallons of seawater, helping to guide the way “home.”

But the possibilities get even stranger, as scientists are exploring the concept that light-sensitive proteins in the retinas of birds and other animals create chemical reactions that allow them to “read” the Earth’s magnetic field.

It may seem far-fetched to think that birds rely on principles of quantum mechanics, but there may be no better explanation for how, say, the Arctic Tern stays on target while annually migrating more than 40,000 miles from pole to pole.

Certainly, it gives us something to think about and, for now, your Two Chums are going to be happy with the answer that “birds rely on the principles of quantum mechanics”; I think we would be surprised at how many creatures do!

Give us your thoughts!

Thanks, Trivia Genius!