The Quanta Podcast How Animals Build a Sense of Direction
20 snips
Feb 17, 2026 
Yasemin Saplakoglu, a science journalist covering neuroscience and animal navigation, explores how animals find their way. She explains place, grid and head-direction cells. She describes field studies tracking bats on an island and debates whether animals use a global compass or local landmarks. The conversation ends with questions about human navigation and why people vary in directional ability.
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Everyday Getting Turned Around
- Samir Patel describes getting out of the subway and walking a block the wrong way before realizing his mistake.
- He reoriented and eventually reached his destination, illustrating everyday disorientation.
Lost Inside The Met
- Yasemin Saplakoglu recounts getting lost with her mother inside the Metropolitan Museum for seven minutes.
- They ended up back where they started despite feeling confident, showing how confusing spaces can be.
Place And Grid Cells Map Space
- Neuroscience discovered place cells and grid cells that map locations and create a hexagonal coordinate system in brains.
- These discoveries form foundational elements for understanding spatial navigation.
