Foxes are known for being cunning and resourceful, but a study suggests another surprising talent. Research from the Czech Republic indicates these creatures may use the Earth’s magnetic field when hunting. The study, led by Jaroslav ?erveny, tracked wild red foxes for over two years, recording nearly 600 hunting leaps by 84 foxes. Researchers found the animals predominantly jumped in a northeasterly direction, regardless of the time of day, season, or weather conditions. This preferred leaping direction resulted in a much higher kill rate, with foxes finding success on 73 percent of their northeasterly pounces on their prey.
The results prompted ?erveny to conclude that foxes are able to detect subtle variations in the Earth’s magnetic field, which tilts downward in the northern hemisphere. As a fox creeps closer to its target, it listens for sounds from the animals it is hunting. The sweet spot occurs when the angle at which sound reaches its ears matches the slope of the Earth’s magnetic field. Essentially, the fox uses the magnetic field as a “rangefinder” to estimate the distance to its prey, thereby increasing the odds of successfully capturing a meal.
狐狸以狡猾和足智多謀聞名，但一項研究指出了另一個令人驚訝的天賦。來自捷克共和國的研究表明，這些生物在獵食時可能會利用地球的磁場。由雅羅斯拉夫‧切爾維尼領導的研究追蹤了野生赤狐兩年多，記錄了八十四隻狐狸近六百次的獵食跳躍。研究人員發現，這些動物主要是向東北方跳躍，不論時間、季節還是天氣條件如何。這種跳躍方向的偏好促成了更高的成功捕殺率，狐狸在對其獵物進行東北方向襲擊時成功率達到了73%。
Photo: AdobeStock 照片：AdobeStock
這些結果讓切爾維尼得出結論，認為狐狸能夠感知地球磁場的細微變化，而地球磁場在北半球是向下傾斜的。當狐狸悄悄地更接近目標時，牠會聽取狩獵對象發出的聲音。當聲音抵達牠耳朵時的角度與地球磁場的斜度相匹配時，這就是最佳位置。基本上，狐狸將磁場作為一種「測距儀」用，以估計與其獵物的距離，從而增加成功獵捕的機會。
Words in Use
1. cunning a. 狡猾的，奸詐的
Photo: AdobeStock 照片：AdobeStock
The cunning salesperson took advantage of the elderly customers. 那名狡猾的推銷員占年邁客人的便宜。
2. resourceful a. 足智多謀的，善於應變的
A resourceful worker always finds a way to get the job done. 有應變能力的員工總是找得到完成工作的方法。
3. prey n. 獵物（集合名詞，不可數）
The hawk was perched on the treetop looking for prey. 老鷹停在樹梢尋找獵物。
4. predator n. 掠食性動物，獵食者
Chameleons change color as a means of hiding from predators. 變色龍會改變顏色來躲避獵食者。
Practical Phrases
1. regardless of... 不管∕不論……
We will go picnicking regardless of the weather. 不管天氣如何，我們都會去野餐。
2. prompt sb to V 促使某人……
A recent study prompted thousands of people to stop using the drug.
最近的一項研究促使數以千計的人停止使用該藥物。
3. thereby V-ing 因此…… / thereby adv. 藉此，由此
The factory was closed down, thereby increasing the rate of unemployment in the area. 該工廠關閉，因而增加了該地區的失業率。
To be continued tomorrow（明日待續）
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本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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