May 12, 2017 - See the surprising way National Geographic researchers get suction cup cameras to stick to the backs of manta rays.
While conducting a study on manta rays in Bahía de Banderas, Mexico, using
Crittercam technology, the team had trouble getting the suction cups to stay attached. Manta rays have rough skin, similar to sandpaper, and suction cups can't achieve a perfect seal. Using previous methods, the cameras only lasted three hours before detaching from the mantas and floating to the surface.
Forced to come up with an unconventional solution, researchers used creamy peanut butter to try and improve the seal. To their surprise, the sticky solution doubled the time the cameras stay attached. The footage gathered from this study will be used to study manta ray social behavior, habitat use, and feeding behavior, with hopes that it will improve marine conservation and species protection.
This research was conducted with support from
The Gulf of California Marine Program and
The Manta Trust.
Click here to read more about the study.
