Homecoming of the sea turtles: Nature's navigation miracle

Sea turtles have an amazing ability: after decades in the open ocean, they can unerringly find their way back to the beach where they were born. But how do they orient themselves on these long journeys?

Scientists have discovered that sea turtles use various navigation mechanisms. One central factor is magnetic navigation. Special receptors in their brain enable them to perceive the earth's magnetic field and thus determine their position.

Chemical orientation also plays a role. Turtles recognize certain chemical signals in the water that give them clues about their surroundings and the proximity of their destination.

Sea turtles use the Earth's magnetic field like an invisible map to return unerringly to the beach where they were born, even after decades.

In addition to these scientifically proven mechanisms, sea turtles also follow an innate instinct and build on experiences from their previous journeys. This combination of genetic programming and learned landmarks helps them to find their way home even after thousands of kilometers.

Knowledge of these natural navigation skills is not only fascinating, but also crucial for the protection of sea turtles. Many of their nesting beaches are threatened by human encroachment. The preservation of these beaches is essential to ensure the survival of these impressive animals.

Source: https://www.spiegel.de