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.

Individual identification of animals by means of body markings has been practised for over 3,800 years, as stated in Code of Hammurabi. The first official identification systems are documented as far as the 18th century. In Uruguay for instance maintained at that time a register of .

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

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