Homeward Bound
Homing activity isn’t restricted just to birds. In a recent study researchers tracked Australian Saltwater Crocodiles to see what occurred after relocation. The crocodiles in the experiment were equipped with a transmitter that allowed for satellites to track their movement. Then these crocodiles were relocated to coastal areas 32 to 81 miles away from their original location. In one of the relocations a crocodile was transported from one side of
Scientists are unsure what type of methods the crocodiles use to find their ways back “home.” The researchers related this homing method to that of other animals known to show the same type of behavior. Birds use many different navigational techniques including landmarks and magnetic navigation. Also, Birds and Crocodiles are closely related seeing that both Crocodilians and Aves are found in the group Archosaurs.
Although this was not the first experiment to notice the homing capabilities of crocodiles, it was the first to use satellite technology to track the crocodiles. This is a more precise method of tracking do to the fact that it can be done with little human interference.
This study showed that crocodiles are capable of homing activity but the researchers are still not sure what mechanism is used to allow these crocodiles to find their home. Hopefully new and interesting research will clear up some of the mysteries about this homing ability.
Posted by:
Chris Kennedy(2)
posted by PWH @ 6:51 PM
3 comments
3 Comments:
Good concise synopsis of an interesting study. It may be interesting to note other, non-bird, species which also have homing abilities. For example brown bears in Alaska have been known to return great distances after relocation. At least 60% of transplanted female brown bears in one study returned an average of 198km each to their original area (Miller and Ballard, 1982). I imagine other mammals show similar abilities.
Homing of Transplanted Alaskan Brown Bears
Sterling D. Miller, Warren B. Ballard
The Journal of Wildlife Management, Vol. 46, No. 4 (Oct., 1982), pp. 869-876
Posted by Kyle McCarthy (2)
It is interesting that the study found that relocation is not an appropriate method of dealing with the crocs. Duncan Irschick, my Comparative Physiology professor (he also runs an animal physiology lab here at UMass that specializes in lizard locomotion), says that crocodiles tend to die after being handled in such a way. Basically what happens is that they are over-exerted, anaerobically respiring, and there is a resulting build-up of lactic acid. When enough lactic acid mixes with the blood stream it can lower the pH of the blood to lethal levels. But what else can you do if you have a large crocodile in your backyard?
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