Mentor
- 4,789
- 3,854
- TL;DR
- Balls of moss on ice fields that slowly move all in the same direction and velocity. Like herds. Then change direction. It is not known how all of this happens.
https://www.npr.org/2020/05/22/8588...f-fuzzy-green-glacier-mice-baffles-scientists
Check out the article - good photos.
These moss balls, plants, are found with rarity in several glacier/ice fields world wide. This article is about researchers trying to understand how the mice move - all in concert, and with periodic synchronized directional changes. And some other research on them. Basically not a whole lot is understood other than that they have tiny pedestals formed as the surrounding ice melts, then it is assumed that they fall off. And we know they do roll, because the moss on the underside is green from light exposure.
They are kind of cute. Especially given the extreme condtions where they are found. The name glacier mice was coined by a Danish explorer in 1950.
Check out the article - good photos.
These moss balls, plants, are found with rarity in several glacier/ice fields world wide. This article is about researchers trying to understand how the mice move - all in concert, and with periodic synchronized directional changes. And some other research on them. Basically not a whole lot is understood other than that they have tiny pedestals formed as the surrounding ice melts, then it is assumed that they fall off. And we know they do roll, because the moss on the underside is green from light exposure.
They are kind of cute. Especially given the extreme condtions where they are found. The name glacier mice was coined by a Danish explorer in 1950.