Burda H, Marhold S, Westenberger T, Wiltschko R, Wiltschko W
Fachbereich Biologie der Universität, Zoologie, Frankfurt a.M., Federal Republic of Germany.
Experientia. 1990 May 15;46(5):528-30. doi: 10.1007/BF01954256.
To test whether mole-rats Cryptomys hottentotus were able to use the magnetic field for orientation, laboratory experiments were conducted which were based on the animals' spontaneous tendency to build their nests at the same position in a circular arena. In the local geomagnetic field, the animals preferred the SE-sector. When magnetic north was turned by 120 degrees or by 180 degrees, the mole-rats changed their nest position accordingly. This clearly shows that they can use the magnetic field for direction finding.
为了测试南非鼹形鼠是否能够利用磁场进行定向，我们进行了实验室实验，该实验基于动物在圆形场地同一位置筑巢的自发倾向。在当地地磁场中，这些动物更喜欢东南区域。当磁北方向转动120度或180度时，南非鼹形鼠会相应地改变它们的巢穴位置。这清楚地表明它们能够利用磁场来确定方向。
