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.

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

Biometrics

Rather than tags or tattoos, biometric techniques may be used to identify individual animals: zebra stripes, blood vessel patterns in rodent ears, muzzle prints, bat wing patterns, primate facial recognition and koala spots have all been tried.^[3]

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^{[note 1]}
Manual tattoos (tail, foot pad or ears)
Automated tail tattoos^[4]

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)^[5]

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

Wildlife photo-identification

Photo-identification is a technique used to identify and track individuals of a wild animal study population over time. It relies on capturing photographs of distinctive characteristics such as skin or pelage patterns or scars from the animal. In cetaceans, the dorsal fin area and tail flukes are commonly used.

Photo-identification is generally used as an alternative to other, invasive methods of tagging that require attaching a device to each individual. The technique enables precise counting, rather than rough estimation, of the number of animals in a population. It also allows researchers to perform longitudinal studies of individuals over many years, yielding data about the lifecycle, lifespan, migration patterns, and social relationships of the animals.

Species that are studied using photo-identification techniques include:

Killer whales
Humpback whales
Whale sharks^[6]
Manta rays^[7] - see Manta Matcher
Octopuses (Wunderpus photogenicus)^[8]
Salamanders^[9]
Giraffes^[10]

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
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