Dogs are known for their quirky behaviors, but have you ever noticed your furry friend spinning in circles or acting a bit spazzy before squatting to poop? Well, don’t worry, because she might just be trying to align herself with the Earth’s magnetic field.
Animals have long been known to use the planet’s magnetic field to orient themselves. Birds and sea turtles use it to travel incredible distances with remarkable accuracy. Even cattle have been observed preferring to align themselves along the north-south axis while grazing. And recently, light-sensitive proteins discovered in the human eye suggest that we may have once been able to sense the Earth’s magnetic field as well.
A new study by Czech and German researchers, published in the journal Frontiers in Zoology, delved into this fascinating phenomenon in dogs. The two-year analysis of over 70 dogs from 37 different breeds revealed that our canine companions „preferred to excrete with the body being aligned along the north-south axis under calm MF conditions.“
Interestingly, the Earth’s magnetic field is only calm about 20 percent of the time during normal daylight hours. When disruptions like solar flares occur, the once-fastidious animals were suddenly less picky about their pooping preferences.
The study also found that both male and female dogs exhibited similar alignment behaviors during defecation. However, there were slight differences in posture between male and female dogs during urination, likely due to leg lifting habits. The researchers are even studying indications of different directional tendencies based on which leg (left or right) is lifted during urination.
While the reasons behind why dogs find the planet’s north-south axis more comforting remain unclear, the findings are no less remarkable. So, the next time you take your pup out for her morning routine, you might want to pay attention to her alignment with the Earth’s magnetic field.
This intriguing study sheds light on the mysterious ways in which animals, including our beloved canine companions, interact with the world around them. It’s a reminder of the incredible instincts and behaviors that have evolved over time, connecting all living beings to the natural forces of our planet.
