Discovery: Bats Have Built-In Compass That Doesn’t Need the Moon or Stars

In Tanzania, scientists have discovered that fruit bats navigate the open skies using a powerful internal compass that stays accurate even when the moon and stars are hidden.

“We found that the compass is global and uniform — north stays north and south stays south, no matter where the bat flies,” explained Prof. Nachum Ulanovsky of the Weizmann Institute of Science.

The finding marks the first time researchers have recorded the brain activity of mammals in the wild, revealing how these animals naturally orient themselves. Using tiny devices to track six bats on a remote island, the team recorded over 400 neurons linked to navigation. Their data showed that the bats’ sense of direction remained steady across the isle and independent of celestial cues. Instead, the animals appear to rely on learned landmarks, vision, and complex brain computations to map their surroundings. This breakthrough could deepen understanding of how all mammals — including humans — navigate vast spaces, with potential insights into treating conditions like Alzheimer’s that impair spatial awareness.