Have you ever noticed that herds of grazing animals all face the same way? Images from Google Earth have confirmed that cattle tend to align their bodies in a north-south direction. Wild deer also display this behavior - a phenomenon that has apparently gone unnoticed by herdsmen and hunters for thousands of years.

In the Proceedings for the National Academy of Sciences, scientists say the Earth’s magnetic fields may influence the behavior of these animals.

The Earth can be viewed as a huge magnet, with magnetic north and south situated close to the geographical poles.

Many species - including birds and salmon - are known to use the Earth’s magnetic field in migration, rather like a natural GPS.

A few studies have shown that some mammals - including bats - also use a “magnetic compass” to help their sense of direction.

Huh.  Who would have thought?  Ever since I read this, I have noticed driving by fields of cows, and almost crashing my car, because I am weirded out by all the cows facing the same way.  Have you ever noticed that?  Anyone heard this before?