The Secret Behind Elephant Seals Migration

The video explores the remarkable migration of northern elephant seals, highlighting their unique ability to make two migrations annually. Researchers have studied how these seals navigate vast distances, especially while pregnant, and return to their breeding beaches just in time to give birth. The study suggests that seals may use an internal GPS-like system, possibly influenced by the Earth's geomagnetic field or star positions. However, the exact mechanisms remain unclear, prompting further research to understand these navigation abilities and their implications for other animal migrations.

What makes the migration of female northern elephant seals particularly challenging?

• They face predators along the way.

• They have to find new breeding beaches each year.

• They travel through icy waters.

• They are heavily pregnant during the journey.

What was one hypothesis researchers had about how northern elephant seals decide when to return to their breeding beaches?

• They follow the stars.

• They use ocean currents.

• They rely on stored body fat levels.

• They listen for calls from other seals.

How do female northern elephant seals' foraging distances affect their migration timing?

• Seals foraging closer to the beach return earlier.

• Foraging distance has no effect on return timing.

• Seals foraging further away return earlier.

• Seals foraging further away return later.

What are some potential environmental cues that might guide the seals' navigation?

• Sunlight intensity

• Wind patterns

• Earth's geomagnetic field

• Ocean temperature changes

What is still unclear about the navigation of northern elephant seals?

• How they communicate with each other

• How they find food in the ocean

• What exactly gives them their coordinates

• Why they migrate twice a year