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.
Contents
History
Individual identification of animals by means of body markings has been practised 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
- Collars (electronic and non-electronic)
- Earmarking
- Ear tags (non-electronic)
- Ear tags (electronic)
- Semi-permanent paint
- Tattoo
Horses
- Collars (non-electronic)
- Branding (hot-iron)
- Branding (freeze)
- Microchip implants
- Lip tattoo
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
- Collar
- Microchip implants
- Tattoo
Laboratory mice
- Earmarking (notching or punching)
- Ear tags (nickel, copper or scannable QR code 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
Marine mammals
- Transponders
- Adhesive tags
Invertebrates
- Adhesive tags
- Semi-permanent paint
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
-
A calf with eartag and transponder in Agentina.jpg
Calf with a non-electronic ear tag, numbered collar and transponder (blue device)
-
Tagging for future reference - geograph.org.uk - 1220926.jpg
Fish with a transponder
-
Apis mellifera scutellata 1355021.jpg
Africanised honeybee with a paint spot
-
Ewe with lamb - geograph.org.uk - 1119783.jpg
Sheep with painted number
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ http://www.allflex-group.com/front-offices/anglais/119-the_history_of_livestock_identification.aspx?idparentnode=120
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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