What this API does
The Movebank API provides comprehensive programmatic access to high-quality animal tracking data collected globally through GPS and sensor technologies. It enables developers and researchers to retrieve detailed spatiotemporal data about animal movements, analyze migration patterns, and monitor individual behaviors across species. The API supports various RESTful endpoints, allowing precise data retrieval for ecological insights.
How it works
Developers send HTTP requests to the API's endpoints, which return data in JSON and XML formats. The API supports spatial and temporal filters, enabling users to customize data retrieval based on specific needs. Example functionality includes accessing individual animal metadata and bulk data exports for comprehensive analyses.
Authentication
Authentication is secured through API keys. Developers must register to obtain an API key, which is required for accessing the data endpoints, ensuring controlled access to datasets.
Example usage
/animals- Retrieves a list of animals along with their metadata./tracks- Accesses tracking data for specified animals over a given time period./species- Lists species available in the database along with associated data./metadata- Provides metadata for individual animals, including their tracking history.
Limits
Specific rate limits are not documented, but users are advised to make requests responsibly and consider potential data size when performing bulk exports.
Ideal use cases
- Ecological data platforms for tracking wildlife movements.
- Research applications analyzing animal behavior and migration patterns.
- Apps visualizing animal tracking data for conservation efforts.
- Tools integrating ecological data into broader research pipelines.