Methods of Animal Identification Flashcards
What criteria should marking techniques fulfil?
permanent legible at a distance inexpensive humane inconspicuous fast and easy to do and use
What physical methods of identification are there?
breed colour markings toe clipping ringing freeze marking temporary marking tattooing microchipping tagging
Where is a horse microchip administered?
midneck on the left side into the nuchal ligament
What is breed standard?
the set of distinguishing features of a particular breed
What is the governing body or society for dogs, cats, rabbits and horses?
dogs - the kennel club
cats - the governing council of cat fancy
rabbits - the british rabbit council
Horses - has individual breed societies
What types of natural marking techniques are used for identification?
colour patterns scale patterns scars shape/size distinguishing features
When are natural markings useful?
enables owner to identify individual pets at home
identifying individuals in the wild but may take some expertise e.g zoo animals
horse ID (passports)
When might a non-natural technique of marking be useful?
for individuals in a herd
for animals that have no natural markings
for legal requirements
for permanence
What animals is ringing used on?
birds
What birds have to be rung for legal reasons?
birds of prey
endangered species
When would we use closed rings?
For ringing birds for legal reasons (birds of prey and endangered species)
What precautions needs to be made for applying closed rings?
not going to be too small not too loose mother doesn't try to take it off ring should be able to spin easily should show the year of birth and a special code individual to the bird
How do you obtain the rings for ringing birds?
through specialist dealers approved by DEFRA
What should you be able to prove when selling birds rung for legal reasons?
that they have been captive bred
When are open rings used?
on birds that don’t have to be rung e.g racing pigeons
How does freeze marking work?
freeze the skin until the colouring agents in the hair follicles are destroyed
What animals are freeze marked?
cows and horses
When are horses freeze marked and what are they freeze marked with?
When insurance companies write them off
freeze marked with an ‘L’
What are temporary markings and when are they useful?
dyes and paints
for breeding, ID of individuals in a group
What is toe clipping?
on or more of the digits in amputated
What colour ink is the best ink to use for tattoos
green
When is it law to have your dog microchipped?
26th april 2016
Where is the microchip administers in dogs and cats?
between the shoulder blades
What animal is tagging used in?
farm livestock, wild birds and wild animals
What techniques can you use to sex and blood type birds?
DNA sampling from feathers and vascular content from egg shell
DNA from blood - direct
What are the female chromosomes for birds?
ZY
What are the male chromosome for birds?
ZZ
How do canary’s show sexual dimorphism?
the male canary sings
the female doesn’t
How do mallards show sexual dimorphism?
male has bright plumage
female doesn’t
When might DNA sexing be used?
in species that are monomorphic
