Ocean simulation game reveals how seals navigate underwater
Ocean simulation game reveals how seals navigate underwater
Ocean simulation game reveals how seals navigate underwater
Jenna Ahart
May, 29, 2025
Summary
Researchers used a high-tech simulation to study how seals navigate in dark, murky ocean waters. In a German lab, three seals watched a screen displaying moving starlike points, mimicking underwater movement. By tapping a red ball, the seals indicated their perceived direction of travel. Even with complex motion, they accurately identified direction within about 5 degrees. This suggests seals do rely on vision underwater. Interestingly, the study proposes that murky water, filled with particles, may actually aid seals’ orientation. The findings, published in the Journal of Experimental Biology, provide new insights into how marine mammals perceive and navigate their environment.
Reference
Ahart, J. (2025, May 29). Ocean simulation game reveals how seals navigate underwater. Science. https://www.science.org/content/article/ocean-simulation-game-reveals-how-seals-navigate-underwater