They are among the first to use the technology to study snakes.
San Diego researchers are using new technology to study snakes in ways previously impossible. KPBS North County Reporter Alexander Nguyen says they’re among the first to use them on snakes.
The red-diamond rattlesnakes are listed as near threatened because they prefer pristine coastal sage scrub habitat. And that is hard to find.“We'd take a hit if we lost the red diamonds, for sure. But, yeah, we'd be losing that ecosystem function," McAndrews said."We could potentially see, especially in our areas of coastal sage scrub habitat, rodent populations going up, which would have potentially a negative effect on the longevity of the vegetation in the area.
That’s why research like this is so important. But studying them has been challenging because of how elusive these snakes are — until now.San Diego State University graduate student Emma McAndrews activating a tracking device on a red-diamondback rattlesnake as San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance conservation specialist Jeff Lemm holds the snake down, March 13, 2024.
Researchers use these data, along with video evidence and machine learning, to recreate the behavior profile of these snakes when they are not being monitored. “The accelerometers are letting us know what they're doing when we're not there. Over time, we hope to use that technology to tell us how they're reacting to things like roads." Lemm said."Roads are one of the biggest problems. They cut the habitats in half, they kill snakes.”
Previous studies have shown genetic differences between snake populations separated by a freeway. This is important because being isolated could affect a population’s biodiversity, leading to extinction.
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