An RFID-based Tracking System for Laboratory Mice in a Semi-Natural Environment

Kritzler M, Lewejohann L, Krüger A, Raubal M, Sachser N

Abstract

Knowing the locations and paths of individual mice is important for behavioural analysis of large groups of laboratory mice. Traditional observations are carried out by trained humans who are able to distinguish more than 50 behavioural patterns. A tedious labour limited with respect to observation length. In this paper an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)-based tracking solution is presented collecting 24h/7days of movement data. Appropriate cage design and antenna placement are discussed and a software solution is presented to facilitate the recording and analysis of mice movements.