What Our Tags Can Do
As you know, marine mammal tagging with telemetry tags is a complex process that requires specialized training and equipment. The type of tag used must be carefully selected based on the target species’ size, behavior, and physiology. The tagging process itself can be invasive and stressful for the animals, which requires careful consideration and ethical handling practices. The data collected from the tags must be carefully analyzed and interpreted to ensure meaningful results. Despite the challenges involved, cetacean and pinniped tagging with telemetry tags is a valuable tool for studying these animals’ behavior, movements, and ecology.
At Wildlife Computers, we provide researchers and scientists with innovative technology for studying marine mammals. We offer a variety of SPOT and SPLASH tags in various shapes and sizes for all different species.
Our SPOT tags, are ideal for tracking the movements of whales and pinnipeds. SPOT tags are highly versatile, cost-effective satellite transmitting tags designed for tracking horizontal movements of free-ranging marine animals. SPLASH10 tags are defined as tags with significant onboard processing. Our SPLASH10 tags are data-archiving Argos satellite transmitting tags designed for tracking vertical and horizontal movements of free-range marine animals. SPOT and SPLASH10 tags works best on any animal that exposes the tag above the surface of the water.
For long-term studies on whales, we also offer more durable attachment methods like LIMPET or transdermal tags. These tag types also come in both SPOT and SPLASH versions. While slightly more intrusive, these tags can provide extended data collection periods, allowing researchers to study seasonal migration patterns and long-term habitat use.
LIMPET (Low Impact Minimally Percutaneous Electronic Transmitter) tags are our most popular whale tracking instruments. Their small size allows for deployment high on the dorsal fin which enables frequent transmissions to the Argos satellites.
LIMPET tags are designed to be deployed using a crossbow or pneumatic rifle. Wildlife Computers offers three feature-set options; the SPOT tag used primarily for location data; the SPLASH10 tag for depth data and dive profiles in addition to locations; and the SPLASH10-F to provide depth, temperature, wet/dry sensors, Argos, and Fastloc® GPS technology to optimize location information.
Our Transdermal tags are designed for larger cetaceans such as humpback whales and blue whales. These tags are attached using a pneumatic air gun or long fiberglass pole and can remain in place for up to several months. They are capable of recording a range of environmental data, including water temperature and depth, as well as the animal’s movement and behavior data.
Finally, our Finmount tags are designed specifically for studying the movement and behavior of smaller cetaceans. These tags attach to the animal’s dorsal fin using only one bolt and one hole. and are capable of recording a range of data, including the animal’s movements, diving behavior, and ecology.
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Key Features
Highly Customizable Data Collection and Transmitting Schedule—researchers can customize and prioritize data transmissions to capture the information that is most important for the project. Deployments can be tailored to address unique experimental objectives. Flexible transmission schedules provide the ability to extend the life of the tag by focusing on specific seasons or times of the year and optimizing transmissions for when satellites are in view.
The Portal Advantage—most of our tags are supported by the Wildlife Computers Data Portal, a collection of data management tools and services. Developed specifically for the display and investigation of data from Wildlife Computers tags, the data portal streamlines the processes of acquiring, preserving, and sharing data. The portal has tools to program the tags and collect, prepare, analyze, and present the data returned via Argos. Data are easily sorted, filtered, searched, mapped, and shared. You can see a live map of your tracks, with positions color-coded by the time since deployment. You can also set up a live KMZ to view your data in your own visualization browser.
