Which is a characteristic of microchips used to identify mice?

• A. A microchip is implanted under the skin using a hypodermic needle
• B. They are attached to fur with adhesive
• C. They are implanted into the peritoneal cavity
• D. They are implanted in the tail muscle

Answer: (A)

Microchips used to identify mice are subcutaneous implants. They are inserted under the skin with a hypodermic needle, typically in a small, accessible area so a handheld scanner can read the chip without opening the animal. The chips are small passive transponders that hold a unique ID linked to the animal’s records and don’t require power to store or transmit data when scanned. This placement minimizes tissue disruption and keeps the chip stable for reliable identification.

Attaching a chip to fur isn’t reliable or durable, and placing it in the peritoneal cavity or in the tail muscle would be unnecessarily invasive and risky for the animal. Therefore, subcutaneous implantation with a needle is the standard and appropriate method.