Animal identification
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.
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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
- Leg rings
- Wing tags
- Microchip implants (parrots)
- Telemetry (falconry birds)
Sheep
- Freeze branding
- Branding (hot-iron)
- Collar
- Earmarking
- Ear tags (non-electronic)
- Ear tags (electronic)
- Semi-permanent paint
Pigs
Horses
- Collars (non-electronic)
- Branding (hot-iron)
- Branding (freeze)
- Microchip implants
- Lip tattoo
Cattle
Dogs
- Collar
- Microchip implants
- Tattoo
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
- Microchip implants
- Fin clipping
- Coded wire tag
- Passive integrated transponder
- Acoustic tag
- Visible implant elastomer (VIE)
Marine mammals
- Transponders
- Adhesive tags
Amphibians
- Microchip implants
- Toe clippings
- Passive integrated transponder
- Visible implant elastomer (VIE)
Invertebrates
- Adhesive tags
- Semi-permanent paint
National animal identification schemes
- British Cattle Movement Service in Britain
- National Animal Identification and Tracing in New Zealand
- National Animal Identification System in the United States
- National Livestock Identification System in Australia
Footnotes
- '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
- Africanised honeybee with a paint spot
- Sheep with painted number
- Monarch butterfly tagged with a sticker
- Mussels being tagged
References
- 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.
- http://www.allflex-group.com/front-offices/anglais/119-the_history_of_livestock_identification.aspx?idparentnode=120
- Bell, J. "Labstamp system" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2015. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
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