David Barrie
Supernavigators: Exploring the Wonders of How Animals Find their Way by David Barrie documents the research uncovering fascinating insights on the navigation of animals, especially insects and birds. Although Barrie does mention larger animals, like crocodiles and elephants, he admits their navigational tools remain a mystery.
Barrie describes in detail the research and various experiments designed to uncover the mystery of insect and bird navigation. He cites specific scientists and credits their work. He also shows how subsequent scientists stand on the shoulders of previous scientists, building on their research and passing the baton to their successors as in a relay race. What emerges are some intriguing insights on animal navigation.
Research demonstrates animals have a cornucopia of navigational tools at their disposal. These include navigation by the sun, moon, stars, and Milky Way; by sound, sight, smell; by the perception of polarized light; by memory; and by imprinting. Animals even have the ability to detect subtle variations on the intensity, inclination, and declination of the earth’s geomagnetic field through the presence of light-stimulated molecules that can detect their orientation in relation to earth’s magnetic field. Bumble bees communicate with each other through a wiggly dance that alerts other bees to the presence of food, its location, and its quality. Dung beetles navigate by storing an image of the positions of the sun, moon, stars, and Milky Way, and using the image as their guide. The salmon, turtle, and lobster are among the animals that use the earth’s magnetic field to perform complex feats of navigation. Birds fly thousands of miles over the ocean to find their way home. And ants have the apparent ability to find their way home by counting their own footsteps.
Berry provides copious examples of animal navigational skills and includes the occasional example of human navigational skills for good measure. He immerses himself in the topic, frequently joining scientist on research expeditions. His excitement at discovering nuances of animal behavior or at proving a hypothesis is contagious. Above all, he communicates his wonder at the ability of these super navigators to find their way.
Included are diagrams and sketches, an extensive bibliography, detailed notes for each chapter, and an index. Each chapter ends with a brief anecdote that tells of an animal’s amazing feat of navigation to find its way home. How the animal does it remains a mystery. As he succinctly phrases it, “More research is needed.” His final chapter laments the atrophy of humanity’s navigational skills due to our reliance on technology. And he concludes with words of caution about our anthropocentrism. He argues if we learn more about animals and how we are all interconnected, we will see the urgency of protecting the rich and varied life forms on our planet.
A very accessible and enlightening exploration of how bees, ants, beetles, butterflies, fish, birds, and humans navigate their way around the world.