Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An animal identification system includes: a tray defining a set of tag receptacles; a set of tags, each tag defining a tag base and a barb and located in a tag receptacle in the tray; a set of backing plates, each backing plate defining a receiver and located in a tag receptacle in the tray with the receiver coaxial with a barb of a corresponding tag occupying the tag receptacle; and an applicator configured to insert into a tag receptacle in the tray, to retrieve a tag and a backing plate from the tag receptacle while maintaining a receiver of the backing plate coaxial with a barb of the tag, and to pierce an appendage of an animal and assemble the backing plate onto the barb of the tag in a continuous actuation motion.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Methods and device for marking animals are disclosed. An ear tag configurable for attachment to a rodent ear, e.g., a mouse ear, is presented, wherein the ear tag includes a color-coded image, an alphanumeric character string, a bar code and/or a visual signage. The tag may include the visual identifier and an RFID device. A card may be provided that redundantly displays some or all of the visual identifier. An applicator is alternately or additionally provided that removes separated elements of the tag from a tray force generated by manual compression of a pair of handles of the applicator, and additionally includes jaws that compress towards each other when the handles are initially compressed, yet splay and release the tag elements as additional compressive force is applied to the handles.