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Dogs Defecate In Alignment With Earth's Magnetic Field

Daniel_Stuckey writes "But for whatever its worth, all that spinning is far from arbitrary. What dog owners witness is a small and furry version of the aurora borealis and a link between species and environment that's as holistic and beautiful as a dog pooping can be. A team of Czech and German researchers found that dogs actually align themselves with the Earth's magnetic field when they poop. Proving at least that they're really devoted to their work, the researchers measured the direction of the body axis of 70 dogs from 37 breeds during 1,893 defecations and 5,582 urinations over the course of two years, and found that dogs "prefer to excrete with the body being aligned along the North-south axis under calm magnetic field conditions." They fittingly published their results [abstract] in the journal Frontiers in Zoology ."

20 of 222 comments (clear)

  1. wow by realilskater · · Score: 5, Funny

    sounds like a shitty job

    1. Re:wow by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

      But they have secured next year's igNobel...

      I dunno, Ig may want to wipe their hands clean of this one.

    2. Re:wow by Enry · · Score: 4, Funny

      If they ignore it, there could be a very big mess for them to clean up. They can't let someone else scoop up this prize. These researchers have it in the bag.

    3. Re:wow by EdIII · · Score: 4, Funny

      Abuse and entertainment?

  2. I do the same. by BitterOak · · Score: 4, Funny

    I do the same, and I have a special rotating toilet in my house for that purpose.

    --
    If I can be modded down for being a troll, can I be modded up for being an orc, or a balrog?
  3. Re:dogs deficate not staring into the sun by goombah99 · · Score: 4, Funny

    I wonder which way they poo in space and can anyone hear them scream?

    --
    Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
  4. Correlation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    So which causes which?

  5. My dog is broken... by Bill_the_Engineer · · Score: 4, Funny

    He defecates in random directions.

    --
    These comments are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of my employer or colleagues...
    1. Re:My dog is broken... by zlives · · Score: 5, Funny

      please have him subscribe to /. to get his shit straight...

  6. Re:Dogs don't like sun in their eyes by Savage-Rabbit · · Score: 5, Funny

    Alternative explanation. Dogs face away from the sun while crapping.

    Where is the raw data?

    Annoyingly enough some of it is under the sole of my shoe.

    --
    Only to idiots, are orders laws.
    -- Henning von Tresckow
  7. Re:Dogs don't like sun in their eyes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Alternative explanation. Dogs face away from the sun while crapping.

    Where is the raw data?

    Annoyingly enough some of it is under the sole of my shoe.

    May Dog have mercy on your sole...

  8. Re:I think my dog is broke by Dunbal · · Score: 4, Funny

    I usually use frontline to get rid of the bugs my dogs may have.

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    Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
  9. Re:Patent Pending by roc97007 · · Score: 4, Funny

    So stop dicking around already and put a dog in a Faraday cage to see if we can get a dog that doesn't poop!

    They tried that. It worked for about a week.

    Then, the dog exploded.

    --
    Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
  10. Re:dogs deficate not staring into the sun by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    You mean, the frightful day-star, it can actually move?! How fast is it? Can I evade it?

  11. Re:dogs deficate not staring into the sun by EdIII · · Score: 4, Funny

    Pooing in space has a well known direction:

    Everywhere

  12. Re:dogs deficate not staring into the sun by MiniMike · · Score: 4, Funny

    Maybe this research was conducted by grad students. They wake up just before noon, and work for about an hour.

  13. Can you write a grant application ? by drnb · · Score: 4, Funny

    I wonder how many scientists who happen to own a dog are now writing grant applications.

  14. Re:soooo; by bill_mcgonigle · · Score: 4, Funny

    they won't poop on a magnetized carpet?

    Oscillate the field and you've at least got an exercise device.

    --
    My God, it's Full of Source!
    OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
  15. Re:dogs deficate not staring into the sun by Tablizer · · Score: 4, Funny

    Pooing in space has a well known direction: Everywhere

    No, it seems to gravitate toward one's helmet. Dark particles called Murphons appear to be responsible.

  16. Re: dogs deficate not staring into the sun by danomac · · Score: 4, Funny

    Naw, wouldn't pooping in space be called a floater?