Animal identification

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File:A calf with eartag and transponder in Agentina.jpg
Calf identified with ear tag and transponder

Animal identification using external marks or internal identifiers 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

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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]

Noninvasive methods

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Wildlife photo-identification

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section excerpt Wildlife photo-identification.[edit]
File:Humpback whale flukes variation.png
Researchers use variation on humpback whale flukes to identify and track the animals

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:

Biometrics

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section excerpt Biometrics § Animal biometrics.[edit]
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.[8]

Birds

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Domesticated mammals

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Sheep

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Pigs

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Horses

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Cattle

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  • Anklets
  • Branding (freeze)
  • Branding (hot-iron)
  • Collars (electronic and non-electronic)
  • Earmarking
  • Ear tags (non-electronic)
  • Ear tags (electronic)
  • Rumen bolus (electronic)
  • Cowbell
  • Photo-identification of noses[9]

Dogs

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Laboratory rodents

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  • 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[10]

Wild mammals

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Bats

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  • Photo-identification of wing membranes[11]

Koalas

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  • Photo-identification of noses[12]

Giraffes

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  • Photo-identification[13]

Zebras

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  • Photo-identification of stripes[9]

Marine mammals

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Fish

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Sharks

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  • Photo-identification[19]

Amphibians

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Invertebrates

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  • Adhesive tags
  • Semi-permanent paint
  • Photo-identification[10]

National animal identification schemes

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ 'Toe clipping' in mice involves the full or partial amputation of one or more digits as a means of permanent identification.
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References

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  1. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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  4. ^ The Manta Network
  5. ^ Wunderpix Photo ID project
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