University of Massachusettes Wireless System to Record Snapping Turtles' Habits

What do you get when you combine a computer, two students, and a turtle? According to the Associated Press, you get what could be the salvation of a whole species, along with advancement in wireless technology.

Mike Jones and Matt Garber, two scientists from the University of Massachusetts, are working on a project that would hopefully save the snapping turtle in their area. At the time the story was written, the duo was attaching a computer to an unsuspecting turtle. The turtle, according to the students, wasn't too thrilled to be bothered, but eventually it came around. The computer, which is waterproof, was attached to the turtle's shell using orthodontic cement and duct tape. The computer is about as big as a postcard, so the turtle will have no issues with mobility.

This project is taking place in Deerfield River in western Massachusetts, and it's giving the chance for two otherwise unrelated disciplines to combine for a greater cause. The computer scientists are able to test their new wireless network, while the biologists can save a species whose habitat is rapidly shrinking due to land development.

The idea behind the network is to have constantly moving computers that store information, transmit information between other units, and relay information to a central unit. The network has been dubbed, "TurtleNet."

"A lot of the existing technology works great as long as you're not moving around and you have stable networks and people who could recharge batteries," said Jacob Sorber, a doctoral candidate in computer science at the university.

When two of the turtles that possess computers get within one tenth of a mile of each other, the two computers trade information. The transfer stops when one of the turtles passes a central base location. The information is then zapped back to the base at the University of Massachusetts where it can be studied. "We're trying to get a better idea of their range, the routes they take and where they hibernate," said Jones. "If you have that information for a good number of turtles, you can predict what their patterns will be for the next 50 years or so."

A similar project was conducted by Princeton University in Africa. The subjects of the project were zebras. The researchers used computers with bigger batteries that are attached to the animals with a collar. "These are early examples of using computer engineering to answer questions about biology," said Princeton professor Margaret Martonosi. "If you know where these animals are going and how they're moving, you could take steps to better preserve the land and their habitat."

Adam Gorlick. "Turtles to test wireless network." Yahoo News. URL: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070704/ap_on_hi_te/turtle_technology;_ylt=ApUW_TfanhLlfldlt7am_6EPLBIF