Mammal Tracking and Biologging Devices for Wildlife Research
Mammal tracking devices support a wide range of animal tracking, behavioural ecology and wildlife research applications. Mammals differ greatly in body size, behaviour, habitat and movement patterns. Therefore, effective wildlife tracking requires flexible technologies that can adapt to both the target species and the research question.
At TechnoSmArt, we develop customizable GPS animal tracking and biologging systems for small mammals, carnivores, ungulates, livestock, semi-aquatic species and marine mammals. Available technologies include GPS tracking, tri-axial accelerometers, proximity logging, magnetometers, temperature, pressure, light and CO₂ sensors.
Different projects also require different methods of accessing the recorded data. Depending on device configuration and available power, solutions can include archival storage, UHF remote data download, LTE cellular connectivity and Iridium satellite communication.
Attachment is a key aspect of every animal movement tracking study. For this reason, we provide custom GPS tracking collars, glue-on devices, harnesses and other species-specific attachment solutions. Collar dimensions, materials, battery capacity, electronics and attachment systems can be adapted to animal morphology and deployment requirements.
Our smallest unit starts from approximately 1 g (collar 5 g) and can combine GPS, tri-axial acceleration, proximity logging and UHF remote download. Larger systems can integrate higher-capacity batteries, additional sensors and long-range communication technologies.
This flexibility allows researchers to optimize device weight, sampling frequency, deployment duration and data-retrieval strategy for each wildlife tracking project.
Choose the Right Device
Choosing the right mammal tracking device requires a balance between animal size, research objectives and field conditions.
Researchers should consider:
- animal size and morphology
- attachment method
- habitat and GPS visibility
- deployment duration
- required sensors
- sampling frequency
- expected data volume
- battery capacity
- data-retrieval strategy
For example, small mammal tracking often requires lightweight hardware and optimized power consumption. Long-term wildlife GPS tracking, in contrast, may benefit from larger batteries and less frequent GPS sampling.
Behavioural studies may require high-resolution acceleration, while social studies can benefit from proximity logging. Environmental applications may also integrate temperature, pressure, light or CO₂ sensing.
| Device | Weight | Sensors | Data retrieval | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gipsy 6 | from 1.5 g | GPS | Archival | Small mammals, weight-critical GPS studies |
| Gipsy Remote | from 2 g | GPS | UHF remote | Small mammals returning to dens, burrows or roosts |
| Axy-Trek Mini | from 4.5 g | GPS + accelerometer (+ optional sensors) | Archival | Combined movement + behaviour |
| Mammal-Trek | from 5 g | GPS + accelerometer + magnetometer + temperature (+ optional sensors) | Cable / optional UHF remote | Custom collars for small to large mammals |
| Axy-Trek Marine | from 14 g | GPS + accelerometer + pressure/temperature (+ optional sensors) | Archival | Semi-aquatic and marine mammals, up to 300 m |
| Axy-Trek Marine HD | from 45 g | GPS + accelerometer + pressure/temperature (+ optional sensors) | Archival | Deep-diving mammals, up to 1,000 m |
| Axy 5 S | from 4.5 g | Accelerometer + magnetometer + temperature (no GPS) | Archival | Behavioural classification, longer deployments |
| Axy 5 XS | from 1 g | Accelerometer + magnetometer + temperature (no GPS) | Archival | Behavioural studies on very small mammals |
| Proximity | from 0.8 g | UHF proximity logging | Cable / Base Station | Social interactions and contact networks |
The Base Station is not a tracking device. It is the fixed receiver used with compatible Remote devices for automatic UHF data retrieval when tagged animals return within communication range.
Explore Our Mammal Tracking and Biologging Devices
Compare GPS loggers, remote-download systems, accelerometer biologgers and multi-sensor solutions for avian research.
Mammal Tracking Technologies
Small Mammal GPS Tracking
Small mammal GPS tracking requires lightweight devices that minimize deployment mass while maintaining reliable data acquisition.
TechnoSmArt develops compact GPS wildlife tracking devices for applications in which size, battery capacity and attachment constraints are critical. UHF-enabled configurations can also retrieve stored data remotely when animals return to dens, burrows, feeding areas or other predictable locations.
GPS performance depends on satellite visibility, vegetation, shelter use, behaviour and available battery capacity. Therefore, sampling schedules and hardware can be adapted to the ecology of the target species.
GPS & Behaviour
Modern animal tracking systems provide much more than geographic positions.
Combining GPS with tri-axial acceleration allows researchers to investigate both where animals move and how they behave. Accelerometer data can support behavioural classification, activity analysis and fine-scale movement studies.
Meanwhile, proximity logging can record contacts between tagged individuals and support studies of:
- social networks
- group structure
- mother–offspring interactions
- shared den use
- wildlife–livestock contacts
Environmental sensors such as temperature, light and CO₂ can also provide additional context in selected ecological or experimental applications.
GPS Tracking Collars
GPS tracking collars are among the most widely used solutions for mammal and animal tracking.
TechnoSmArt can customize:
- collar dimensions
- materials
- battery capacity
- GPS schedules
- sensor combinations
- antennas
- release systems
- communication technology
Our smallest collar configurations start from approximately 5 g and can combine GPS tracking, tri-axial acceleration, proximity logging and UHF remote download.
Larger wildlife tracking collars can accommodate additional sensors, higher-capacity batteries and, where required, LTE or Iridium satellite communication.
Aquatic & Diving Mammals
For semi-aquatic and marine mammals, animal tracking technology can combine GPS with acceleration and pressure/temperature sensing.
These systems can support research on:
- dive depth
- dive duration
- activity
- haul-out behaviour
- surface movements
- habitat use
- transitions between terrestrial and aquatic environments
Waterproofing, pressure rating and attachment design can be adapted according to species and study requirements.
Remote Data Transmission & Connectivity
Different mammal tracking projects require different communication strategies.
TechnoSmArt systems can support, depending on configuration:
- archival data storage
- UHF remote download
- LTE cellular transmission
- Iridium satellite communication
UHF is useful when animals regularly return within range of a receiving station. LTE can support remote monitoring where cellular coverage is available.
For studies in remote regions without terrestrial network coverage, Iridium satellite communication can provide an alternative data-transmission pathway.
The final choice depends on network availability, antenna exposure, battery capacity, deployment duration and expected data volume.
Custom Configurations
Species-specific customization is central to effective wildlife tracking.
A tracking system designed for a small rodent may require completely different electronics, batteries and attachment methods from one designed for an ungulate or marine mammal.
TechnoSmArt can customize:
- batteries
- GPS schedules
- accelerometers
- magnetometers
- proximity logging
- pressure and temperature sensors
- light sensors
- CO₂ sensors
- antennas
- UHF communication
- LTE connectivity
- Iridium satellite communication
- housings
- collars and attachment systems
For each animal tracking project, we design the configuration around the species, environment and biological question.
Research Applications
Movement & Spatial Ecology
- Animal movement tracking
- Home range and habitat use
- Migration and dispersal
- Foraging movements
- Post-release monitoring
Behaviour & Ecology
- Behavioural classification
- Activity monitoring
- Foraging behaviour
- Diving behaviour
- Environmental responses
Social & Conservation Research
- Social interactions
- Contact networks
- Wildlife–livestock interactions
- Conservation monitoring
- Remote wildlife monitoring
Devices in the Field
TechnoSmArt tracking and biologging systems can be configured for mammals with very different body sizes, behaviours and ecological requirements.
Published Research
Examples of peer-reviewed research using TechnoSmArt devices on mammals.
“Large-scale navigational map in a mammal“
Tsoar et al. (2011), Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)
TechnoSmArt GiPSy2 GPS dataloggers were used to track Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) and investigate long-distance navigation and the use of familiar spatial information.
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1107365108
“Cryptic behavior and activity cycles of a small mammal keystone species revealed through accelerometry: a case study of Merriam’s kangaroo rats (Dipodomys merriami)“.
Hanscom et al. (2023), Movement Ecology
TechnoSmArt AXY 5 accelerometers were used on free-ranging Merriam’s kangaroo rats (Dipodomys merriami) to classify fine-scale behaviours and investigate activity patterns.
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1186/s40462-023-00433-x
See all published research using TechnoSmArt devices.
Find the Right Device
Every mammal tracking study presents different biological and technical requirements.
Tell us your target species, body mass, habitat, deployment duration, attachment requirements, sensors and preferred data-retrieval method. Our team can help develop a custom animal tracking configuration for your research project.
FAQ
Gipsy 6 is the lightest GPS logger in our current range, with configurations starting from approximately 1.5 g. For studies requiring UHF remote data retrieval, Gipsy Remote starts from approximately 2 g. Suitability depends on species, body mass, attachment method and deployment duration.
Yes. Axy-Trek Mini, Mammal-Trek, Axy-Trek Marine and Axy-Trek Marine HD combine GPS with tri-axial acceleration. The most suitable model depends on animal size, habitat, attachment method and whether remote data retrieval or depth sensing is required.
Yes. Compatible Remote devices can transfer stored data by UHF when the animal comes within range of a TechnoSmArt Base Station. This can be particularly useful around dens, roosts, feeding sites, wildlife passages and other predictable locations.
GPS performance is strongly reduced or unavailable underground, inside caves, dens or other locations with poor satellite visibility. For burrowing or denning species, GPS schedules can be configured around expected periods of surface activity.
Axy-Trek Marine combines GPS, acceleration and pressure/temperature sensing in configurations rated to 300 m. Axy-Trek Marine HD is designed for deeper-diving deployments and is rated to 1,000 m.