A method for animal identification and tracking includes, during a dark cycle: illuminating an interior of an animal cage with light outside of a visible light range; and capturing a first image of the interior of the animal cage. The method also includes: detecting a first identification tag in the first image; extracting a first set of tag features from the first image; identifying a first animal identifier of a first animal, tagged with the first identification tag, based on the first set of tag features; interpreting a first animal position of the first animal occupying the animal cage based on the first image; appending a cage log with the first animal identifier, a first timestamp corresponding to a time of capture of the first image, and the first animal position.

One variation of a system includes a tag including a panel defining an inner face; an outer face opposite the inner face and comprising a digital optical identifier; and a set of perforations interposed between the digital optical identifier and a perimeter of the panel; a tag housing molded around the perimeter of the panel and through the set of perforations in the panel; defining a body supporting the inner face of the panel; defining a rim extending from the body, encasing an edge of the panel; extending through the set of perforations in the panel; and extending over the set of perforations in the panel; and a barb extending from the body opposite the rim; a backing plate configured to receive the barb of the tag housing; and an applicator configured to drive the barb through an ear of an animal and into the backing plate.

The present invention relates to a clamp (3) for handling a device for identifying an animal and/or sampling animal tissue, said clamp (3) comprising two jaws (32, 33), a handle (31) for moving said jaws (32, 33) together, and means (321) for securing an element of said identification and/or sampling device to one of said jaws (32, 33), said securing means (321) being movable between: a release position, and a securing position. According to the invention, said clamp (3) comprises actuation means (73) for moving said securing means (321) from one to the other position thereof, said actuation means (73) being actuatable via said handle (31).

A method for animal identification and tracking includes, during a dark cycle: illuminating an interior of an animal cage with light outside of a visible light range; and capturing a first image of the interior of the animal cage. The method also includes: detecting a first identification tag in the first image; extracting a first set of tag features from the first image; identifying a first animal identifier of a first animal, tagged with the first identification tag, based on the first set of tag features; interpreting a first animal position of the first animal occupying the animal cage based on the first image; appending a cage log with the first animal identifier, a first timestamp corresponding to a time of capture of the first image, and the first animal position.

A method for animal identification and tracking includes, during a dark cycle: illuminating an interior of an animal cage with light outside of a visible light range; and capturing a first image of the interior of the animal cage. The method also includes: detecting a first identification tag in the first image; extracting a first set of tag features from the first image; identifying a first animal identifier of a first animal, tagged with the first identification tag, based on the first set of tag features; interpreting a first animal position of the first animal occupying the animal cage based on the first image; appending a cage log with the first animal identifier, a first timestamp corresponding to a time of capture of the first image, and the first animal position.

An applicator for an animal identification tag has a first jaw and a second jaw defining a gap for receiving an animal's ear. A pin is mounted to the first jaw, the pin being configured to receive a male part of the tag. The first jaw and the second jaw are movable relative to one another to a closed position to drive the male part of the tag through the animal's ear. The pin is movable relative to the first jaw in a longitudinal direction of the first jaw between a first position and a second position, the second position being further from a proximal end of the first jaw than the first position. When in the first position, an angle of the pin relative to the first jaw is fixed and, when in the second position, the pin is pivotable relative to the first jaw.