Scientists with Ocean Alliance wanted a non-invasive way to collect data on the health of whales. So they created SnotBot, a modified drone that can fly through a whale’s spout and gather mucus.
Whales exhale a mixture of air, water, and mucus. This “snot” contains important information about both the whales and their environment. Scientists can use the mucus to learn about whales’ genetic diversity, respiratory health, reproductive hormones, and stress levels.
SnotBot is less invasive than other tools scientists use to monitor whale health, like biopsy darts.
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