Loggerhead turtles “dance” when exposed to food-associated magnetic fields, and their magnetic map may help them return to specific areas after long migrations.

Loggerhead turtles can recognize the magnetic signatures that they associate with getting a nice meal – and do an adorable little dance when they do! That’s according to new research that suggests that these turtles use Earth’s magnetic field as a map and a compass in two different ways.

Dancing turtles have proved for the first time that some animals use Earth's magnetic field to create a personal map of their favorite spots, scientists said Wednesday.