Glacier mice

However, Gilbert and Bartholomaus's evidence^[1] shows a southern migration in Alaska which suggests a mechanism: the dark coloured moss absorbs sun energy on the south side, and casts a shadow on the north side. This causes the ice to melt only on the sunny side, creating a small depression, the moss then rolls into the depression and the process continues creating gradual southern motion (N. Hemisphere) and northern motion (S. Hemisphere).^{[citation needed]}

On average, they move about 2.5 cm (0.98 in) per day.^[7] The use of accelerometers has demonstrated that glacier mice do in fact rotate and roll, rather than simply sliding across the ice, over time exposing all of their surfaces.^[7] Measurements of glacier mice show that they retain heat and moisture, creating a suitable ecosystem for microorganisms that otherwise could not live on a glacier.^[8][9] Glacier mice are believed to persist for six years or longer.^[7]

Glacier mice were first described in 1950 by Icelandic meteorologist Jón Eyþórsson, who referred to them as jökla-mýs, which is Icelandic for "glacier mice."^[10]

• Coulson, S.J.; Midgley, N.G. (2012). "The role of glacier mice in the invertebrate colonization of glacial surfaces; the moss balls of the Falljökull, Iceland" (PDF). Polar Biology. 35 (11): 1651–1658. Bibcode:2012PoBio..35.1651C. doi:10.1007/s00300-012-1205-4. S2CID 18751290.
• Belkina, Olga A.; Vilnet, Anna A. (2015). "Some aspects of the moss population development on the Svalbard glaciers". Czech Polar Reports. 5 (2): 160–175. Bibcode:2015CzPR....5..160B. doi:10.5817/CPR2015-2-14.
• Hotaling, Scott; Bartholomaus, Timothy C.; Gilbert, Sophie L. (2020). "Rolling stones gather moss: movement and longevity of moss balls on an Alaskan glacier". Polar Biology. 43 (6): 735–744. Bibcode:2020PoBio..43..735H. doi:10.1007/s00300-020-02675-6. S2CID 218653483.
• The Natural History Museum, London: The secret world of glacier mice on YouTube