Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for determining one or more dimensions of an alligator based upon an image. A sensor coupled to a computing device captures an image of an alligator. The computing device extracts a portion of the image that corresponds to a silhouette of the alligator and determines a contour of the silhouette. The computing device transforms the contour to a predetermined position and/or rotation and determines one or more dimensions of the alligator based upon the transformed contour.

Abstract: In some aspects, an animal positioning system can include a positioning member positioned relative to a datum structure, the positioning member being configured to limit an available spacing along a floor surface between the positioning member and the datum structure, the positioning member being arranged at an angular bias away from the datum structure relative to a floor surface and being configured to permit unobstructed viewing of a body of an animal positioned in the available spacing.

Abstract: The invention provides, in one aspect, a computerized method for estimating a weight of an animal. The method includes acquiring an image of an animal and comparing, by at least one computing device, the image to a plurality of models to determine a selected one of the plurality of models that optimally matches a size or shape of the animal, wherein each of the plurality of models has a known weight. The method further includes adjusting, by the at least one computing device, either (i) the image relative to the selected model or (ii) the selected model relative to the image. One or more differential adjustment parameters are determined, by the at least one computing device, based upon the adjustment of the image or model; and a weight of the animal is determined, by the at least one computing device, by adjusting the known weight of the selected model based upon the one or more differential adjustment parameters.

Abstract: Described are methods and systems for determining a body condition score (BCS) for an animal. An imaging device captures at least one image of an animal, where each image includes a body region of the animal, and transmits the image to a computing device. The computing device identifies the body region contained in the image and crops a portion of the image associated with the identified body region from the image. The computing device compares the cropped portion of the image with one or more fitting models corresponding to the body region and determines a body condition score for the body region based upon the comparing step.

Abstract: In some aspects, an animal positioning system can include a first positioning member; and a second positioning member positioned relative to the first positioning member configured to limit an available spacing along a floor surface between the first positioning member and the second positioning member. The second positioning member is typically arranged at an angular bias away from the first positioning member relative to a floor surface and is configured to permit unobstructed viewing of a body of an animal positioned in the available spacing.

Abstract: The invention provides, in one aspect, a computerized method for estimating a weight of an animal. The method includes acquiring an image of an animal and comparing, by at least one computing device, the image to a plurality of models to determine a selected one of the plurality of models that optimally matches a size or shape of the animal, wherein each of the plurality of models has a known weight. The method further includes adjusting, by the at least one computing device, either (i) the image relative to the selected model or (ii) the selected model relative to the image. One or more differential adjustment parameters are determined, by the at least one computing device, based upon the adjustment of the image or model; and a weight of the animal is determined, by the at least one computing device, by adjusting the known weight of the selected model based upon the one or more differential adjustment parameters.

Abstract: In some aspects, an animal positioning system can include a first positioning member; and a second positioning member positioned relative to the first positioning member configured to limit an available spacing along a floor surface between the first positioning member and the second positioning member. The second positioning member is typically arranged at an angular bias away from the first positioning member relative to a floor surface and is configured to permit unobstructed viewing of a body of an animal positioned in the available spacing.