Most of us wonder what our pets are up to when they're home
alone – some people even set up systems
to keep an eye on them. What about wild animals? While there are some
stationary cameras, like Africam,
that stream video from locations in the wild, the idea of seeing the world from
an animal's perspective is even more exciting.
What is Crittercam?
A National Geographic initiative, Crittercam is a camera
worn safely by wildlife. The location of the camera on the animal depends on
its body's shape and movement style. The camera has gone through several
upgrades and is now less than three inches wide while capturing 3-D data.
The way Crittercam is attached to the animal depends on the
species – there are several methods, including suction cup, harness, fin clamp,
and safe adhesive. Sometimes the camera
is manually removed from the animal when shooting is finished (friendly
animals); other times, it is automatically released and tracked via a radio
signal (sharks).
Crittercam has been worn by over 60 animals ranging from
lions to sea lions. Sea turtles, sharks,
whales, penguins, and bears are just some of the animals that data has been
collected with. An exhibit is currently
at the Boston Museum of Science where visitors can see some of the videos in
observation tubes – as if experiencing the animals' lives for real.
Interactive Research
Tool
Scientists wanted to know why penguins can stay submerged
for half-an-hour and how they can dive more than 1,500 feet deeper than anyone
thought was possible. Crittercams mounted on emperor penguins in Antarctica recorded:
- Dives lasting 22 minutes
- Depths of 1,800 feet
- 40 times more barometric
pressure at 1,200 feet than at the surface (fatal to humans if
unprotected)
During the study, scientists discovered that the penguins
had decreased heart rates during the dives.
They also may cut off blood supplies to much of their bodies, except
essential organs, thereby conserving oxygen and preventing nitrogen from
entering the bloodstream. Learning more
about this could help doctors treat people who are suffering from heart attacks
and peripheral vascular disease, as both problems deal with low blood flow.
While this is just one example of how Crittercam has been
used, National
Geographic's site is full of more stories.
You can even go on a mission
yourself!
Resources:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/crittercam/
http://www.huliq.com/13/81858/boston-museum-science-exhibits-geographic-crittercam
http://www.mos.org/exhibits_shows/current_exhibits&d=3136
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/01/0130_040130_penguincam_2.html
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/washington/news.aspx?id=65301
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