Abstract: An animal identification tag of thin sheet flexible material having an insert section of generally triangular shape that provides a forwardly disposed tool engaging hole. The insert section is joined by a narrowed neck portion to a body section, upon the face of which marking data may be entered. An insect disturbing fringe is provided on a free edge of said body, and the forward edges of said insert section are curved and of tapered thickness for cooperative interaction with a narrow slit or cut in the animal's skin to enfold the insert section of said tag about the shank of the application tool that provides the narrow cut. The tools have a sharpened arrow type point with a hook element disposed at a raised center rib of the tool. One tool embodiment has an arrow point and a backup and extractor piece mounted in scissors type opposed arrangement for improved operation.