We are not the only animals to take advantage of the directional information that the Earth's magnetic field provides. Researchers have discovered that some kinds of bacteria use the magnetic field to determine which way is up. These bacteria form linear chains of internal magnetite crystals to detect the direction of the Earth's magnetic field. Scientists have discovered that organisms started crystallizing magnetite nearly 2 billion years ago. Tiny magnetite crystals have been found in brains of larger animals, such as pigeons, honey bees, and sea turtles, whose abilities to find their way home has been a fascinating puzzle for years.
Amazing stories tell of lost pets traveling hundreds of miles to return home.