Animal identification

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Calf identified with ear tag and transponder

Animal identification using a means of marking is a process done to identify and track specific animals. It is done for a variety of reasons including verification of ownership, biosecurity control, and tracking for research or agricultural purposes.

History[]

Individual identification of animals by means of body markings has been practiced for over 3,800 years, as stated in Code of Hammurabi.[1] The first official identification systems are documented as far as the 18th century. In Uruguay for instance maintained at that time a register of hot brands.[2]

Methods[]

Birds[]

Sheep[]

Pigs[]

  • Collars (electronic and non-electronic)
  • Earmarking
  • Ear tags (non-electronic)
  • Ear tags (electronic)
  • Semi-permanent paint
  • Tattoo

Horses[]

Cattle[]

  • Anklets
  • Branding (freeze)
  • Branding (hot-iron)
  • Collars (electronic and non-electronic)
  • Earmarking
  • Ear tags (non-electronic)
  • Ear tags (electronic)
  • Rumen bolus (electronic)
  • Cowbell

Dogs[]

Laboratory mice[]

  • Earmarking (notching or punching)
  • Ear tags (nickel, copper or scannable 2D barcode tags)
  • Microchip implants
  • Hair dye
  • Toe clipping[note 1]
  • Manual tattoos (tail, foot pad or ears)
  • Automated tail tattoos[3]

Fish[]

Marine mammals[]

  • Transponders
  • Adhesive tags

Amphibians[]

Invertebrates[]

  • Adhesive tags
  • Semi-permanent paint

National animal identification schemes[]

Footnotes[]

  1. ^ 'Toe clipping' in mice involves the full or partial amputation of one or more digits as a means of permanent identification.

Gallery[]

  • Great frigatebird with a wing tag

  • Bird ring

  • Sheep with an earmark

  • Pig with earmark

  • Horse with a brand

  • Santa Gertudis cattle with electronic and non-electronic ear tags

  • Calf with a non-electronic ear tag, numbered collar and transponder (blue device)

  • Bear with an ear tag and transponder

  • Tattoo inside a Greyhound's ear

  • Dog collar with dog license and other dog tags

  • A microchip implant and applicator

  • A laboratory mouse with an ear tag

  • Fish with a transponder

  • Harbour seal with a transponder

  • Common seal with an adhesive tag

  • European queen honey bee marked with a paint spot surrounded by Africanised honeybees

  • Sheep with painted number

  • Monarch butterfly tagged with a sticker

  • Mussels being tagged

References[]

  1. ^ Blancou, J (2001). "A history of the traceability of animals and animal products". Revue Scientifique et Technique (International Office of Epizootics). 20 (2): 413–25. PMID 11548516.
  2. ^ "Allflex Corporate Web Site - the history of livestock identification".
  3. ^ Bell, J. "Labstamp system" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2015. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  4. ^ Fouilloux, Chloe; Garcia-Costoya, Guillermo; Rojas, Bibiana (2020). "Visible Implant Elastomer (VIE) Success in Early Larval Stages of a Tropical Amphibian Species". PeerJ. 8: e9630. doi:10.7717/peerj.9630. PMC 7425637. PMID 32864207.
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