Short Wave Meet The 'Glacier Mice'
Mar 24, 2021
Nell Greenfieldboyce, an NPR science correspondent, dives into the whimsical world of 'glacier mice,' those fuzzy green moss balls found on Alaskan glaciers. Listeners will be intrigued by the mystery of how these moss balls move in unison across the ice, revealing their unique ecological significance. The discussion touches on their role in insulating glaciers and how they support tiny organisms. Nell also highlights the fascinating complexities of glacier physics that researchers are exploring to understand these peculiar organisms better.
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Discovery of Glacier Mice
- In 2006, glaciologist Tim Bartholomaus discovered unusual green moss balls on the Root Glacier.
- These moss balls, dubbed "glacier mice," prompted curiosity about their peculiar presence.
Moss Ball Movement
- Glacier moss balls move to ensure all sides receive sunlight.
- If they remained stationary, the underside against the ice would die.
Tracking Glacier Mice
- Tim and Sophie, wildlife biologists, tagged glacier mice to study movement.
- They discovered the moss balls moved together, not randomly.