Identification
- Ear Punching
- There are several different methods and charts that can be used to identify individual mice within a cage or large groups of animals within a facility, below is a simple numbering scheme. Please note the different location of the punches on the ear and if they are holes or notches.
- Ear Tags
- Another common method of identifying rodents is ear tags. Stainless steel tags are placed on the ear of the mouse. These are available in any alpha, numeric or alpha-numeric combination up to six characters. These tags if placed properly will allow the user to track a mouse through its entire life.
- Tail Tattooing
- Another permanent method of identifying mice and rats is the use of tail tattooing. This is done either on the tail or sometimes the toes of the young animal. Below is a link to Animal Identification & Marking Systems (AIMS) one of the commercially available tattooing systems available for tattooing mice and rats and a picture of a tattooed mouse tail.
All animals in the LAF are identified and tracked in the LAF by the use of a cage card. For many of the species especially those animals covered by the Animal Welfare Act (USDA Covered Species) this and the fact that the animals are also identified by tattoos, bands or tags makes it easy to identify an individual animal. Mice rats and other smaller laboratory animals are somewhat more difficult to individually identify. There are several methods used here and at other research institutions that enable users to identify an individual animal. The identification of an individual mouse is critical during the genotyping process.
All of these methods have been or are being used here at UB.
Another method that has been used here and in research is the use of implantable chips. This is costly but ensures proper identification and in some cases the chip may provide additional information such as body temperature.
Below is a link to the LADS 100 system by BMDS Bio Medic Data Systems.
http://www.bmds.com/section.cfm/products/13/28There are other methods of identification available and this is meant as a starting point. Please contact veterinary service or the facility manager if you have any questions about any of the types of identification mentioned here or if you have another method that you would like to use.
