Animal identification

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 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)
Microchip implants
Hair dye
Toe clipping^{[note 1]}
Ear tags (nickel copper or plastic QR code tags)
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
Bird ring
Sheep with an ear notch
Pig with multiple ear notches
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