Animal identification explained

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

• 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 (see animal 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 2D barcode tags)
• Microchip implants
• Hair dye
• Toe clipping
• 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)^[4]

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

Notes and References

1. 11548516. 2001. Blancou. J. A history of the traceability of animals and animal products. Revue Scientifique et Technique (International Office of Epizootics). 20. 2. 413–25.
2. Web site: Allflex Corporate Web Site - the history of livestock identification. 2012-01-07. 2014-08-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20140819085853/http://www.allflex-group.com/front-offices/anglais/119-the_history_of_livestock_identification.aspx?idparentnode=120. dead.
3. Web site: Labstamp system. . Bell, J. . February 26, 2015 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150226141008/http://actstraining.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/1115-2011-August-Labstamp-Power-Point-for-demos.pdf . February 26, 2015 .
4. Fouilloux . Chloe . Garcia-Costoya . Guillermo . Rojas . Bibiana . Visible Implant Elastomer (VIE) Success in Early Larval Stages of a Tropical Amphibian Species . PeerJ . 2020 . 8 . e9630 . 10.7717/peerj.9630 . 32864207 . 7425637 . free .