If you’re hiking around the beautiful landscapes of Joshua Tree National Park and you are confused at the sight of a desert tortoise with a funky looking knob attached to its dark brown shell, the explanation is quite fascinating. The techno barnacle is only temporary as the reptile is participating in a the longest-running tortoise monitoring program in the nation.
Joshua Tree National Park and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have been collaborating since 2003 to track the movements of the resident Mojave desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) using radiotelemetry. Originally the devices were used to evaluate whether adding curbs to some roads would interfere with tortoise movements. It was found that the tortoises could easily climb up curbs with a slight change to their design and since then the telemetry program has continued to collect valuable data on tortoises behavior around roads.
JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK:
We heard early 2000s fashion is making a comeback. Our Mojave desert tortoises have been sporting these telemetry transmitter accessories since the early 2000s and have never gone out of style.
Our Science and Resource team uses this technology to learn more about desert tortoises and their behavior in the park. Small transmitters help us track their movements and understand how they navigate their desert habitat. Each transmitter is secured with strong putty to the tortoise’s shell. Don’t worry—the antenna is carefully adjusted so it doesn’t interfere with the tortoise’s daily activities, allowing them to roam freely and naturally.
This technology not only helps us gather valuable data for conservation efforts but also ensures that we can protect the species and its delicate ecosystem.
Who said fashion is just for aesthetics?
