Kate Straub, Julia Boothroyd, Sam Nordstrom and Anna Winter HOMING Kate Straub, Julia Boothroyd, Sam Nordstrom and Anna Winter

Homing Homing is the ability of an individual to return to the home site after it has been away to look for food, sometimes these animals travel a considerable distance Animals have to leave the home for food and to find mates, but they must be able to return home

Examples of Homing Homing pigeons, turtles, bee’s, rabbits, ants, termites

Methods of Homing These are the same methods that animals use to migrate Animal Navigation is important. E.g. Homing Pigeons use many methods, there is a certain amount of learning involved for example experienced birds navigate better than young inexperienced birds. The survival of many animals depend on the accuracy of their navigation.

Piloting This is when an animal moves from one familiar landmark to another landmark until it reaches its destination. This is commonly used over short distances and uses visual clues.

Compass Orientation An animal can detect a compass direction and it therefore travels in a straight line path until it reaches its destination. This can be accomplished by using magnetic field lines of the earth, chemical clues, and sound.

Navigation This involves determining ones position in relation to other locations. To navigate you need a map sense (awareness of the latitude and longitude of an area) and a sense of timing (an internal clock). Both of these are needed for solar (sun) and stellar (star) navigation.