DHAKA: Weddell seals (Antarctic Ice Seals) are somehow able to dive to the deepest depths to hunt, yet they are able to find breathing holes in the ice.

Researchers supported by the US National Science Foundation (NSF) think they have figured out the seals' trick: the seals use the Earth's magnetic field like a natural GPS, according to Live Science.

"This animal, we think, may be highly evolved with an ability to navigate using magnetic sense in order to find ice holes some distance apart and get back to them safely," said Randall Davis of the Department of Marine Biology at Texas A&M University, said a report published on HNGN.

However, if this is true, this would be the first time a trait like this was discovered in a marine mammal.

It partly makes sense - if the seals couldn't turn around in time or if they had to find a breathing hole in the ice, they would run a high risk of drowning. A natural GPS could be evolution's way of keeping the Weddell seal alive.

"These animals are doing a remarkable amount of exercise all while on breath hold," said Terrie Williams, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of California-Santa Cruz.

"The reason a seal wants to be efficient is that they have a limited amount of oxygen on-board," she explained. "The trick is conserving that 'scuba tank' on a dive."

BDST: 1815 HRS, Dec 24, 2014