Abstract
In this study we evaluate the design and efficacy of Wombot, an exploratory robot used to study environmental conditions within wombat burrows. Our purpose-built robot traverses through the difficult terrain present in wombat burrows whilst facilitating placement and retrieval of environmental data loggers. Our preliminary results suggest that the environmental conditions present within the burrows would result in a long mite survival time which shows significant risk for spreading infestations throughout a wombat population.Article HighlightsWombats live in difficult to observe burrows and suffer from mange cased by Sarcoptes scabiei.A teleoperated robot was designed to traverse the difficult terrain within burrows whilst placing and retrieving environmental loggers.Cool and humid environmental conditions within burrows suggest a relatively long mite survival time of 16–18 days
Highlights
The act of living partially or entirely underground or using hidden environments makes research into the ecology and health of many animal species a challenge
Evidence indicates the environmental conditions within wombat burrows are relatively stable over circadian cycles [28]
For bare-nosed wombats, it is well known that they can vary their use of burrows owing to seasonal changes in environmental conditions
Summary
The act of living partially or entirely underground (e.g. caves, burrows, dens) or using hidden environments (e.g. tree hollows, with leaf litter, dense vegetation) makes research into the ecology and health of many animal species a challenge. A teleoperated robot was designed to traverse the difficult terrain within burrows whilst placing and retrieving environmental loggers. Cool and humid environmental conditions within burrows suggest a relatively long mite survival time of 16–18 days
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