How and why are sea turtles identified?
Both external and internal markers (tags) are used to enable the identification of a specific individual. External tags are made from metal (monel or inconel) or plastic. Internal tags are called Passive Integrated Transponder tags or PIT tags. These are microchips consisting of metal and glass. Both external and internal tags display a unique series of letters and numbers, a bar code, eg, ZA214. External tags are clipped onto the turtles flipper(s), and are clearly visible to the eye. On the back of flipper tags is the address of the organisation applying the tags. Tags found can be returned with details of date and location when found together with information on the turtle, e.g., whether it was nesting, dead, etc. PIT tags are more expensive and only visible through the use of expensive scanning equipment, which when held over a PIT tag, displays the tag code. Only one PIT tag is needed for each animal and is injected into the turtles shoulder muscle.
Both external and internal markers (tags) are used to enable the identification of a specific individual. External tags are made from metal (monel or inconel) or plastic. Internal tags are called Passive Integrated Transponder tags or PIT tags. These are microchips consisting of metal and glass. Both external and internal tags display a unique series of letters and numbers, a bar code, eg, ZA214. External tags are clipped onto the turtles flipper(s), and are clearly visible to the eye. On the back of flipper tags is the address of the organisation applying the tags. Tags found can be returned with details of date and location when found together with information on the turtle, e.g., whether it was nesting, dead, etc. PIT tags are more expensive and only visible through the use of expensive scanning equipment, which when held over a PIT tag, displays the tag code. Only one PIT tag is needed for each animal and is injected into the turtles shoulder muscle. They are more secure than exter
