AVID Microchip Implant

The Avid Animal Identification System

AVID® invented the animal identification system over 25 years ago and today helping biologists, ecologists and conservationists with animal identification and monitoring continues to be AVID's mission and business. Biologists around the world use the AVID Animal Identification System during mark and recapture studies to improve animal identification, research and monitoring. The AVID Animal Identification System has been developed to benefit biologists, ecologists, conservationists and the animals they study and protect.

The AVID Animal Identification System utilizes RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Devices) to provide safe, effective, permanent animal identification. The AVID Animal Identification System uses an injectable transponder (PIT tag) and a transmitter/receiver (scanner) to accurately identify and monitor a variety of wildlife species. Ongoing research done by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service includes mark and recapturing of such animals as wild bison, black-footed ferrets, grizzly bears, elk, white tail deer, land tortoises and armadillos. The AVID Animal Identification System helps biologists around the world by providing rapid, error-free individual animal identification.

Why Microchip Your Ball Python?

Because it Protects your investment.

We use this system in our facility primarily for heterozygous animals carrying recessive traits. We maintain a database with all the particulars about your purchase. For example, you buy a Leopard 100% Het. Clown Ball Python from us. Years later you decide to resell the animal. If you only have paperwork there is NO proof for your potential customer that you are selling them the same animal. Even when breeders provide paperwork with a photograph, the paperwork can be easily modified to show a different picture. In many cases you will have to take hundreds less for your animal because the customer cannot be 100% certain of the genetics. With an AVID Microchip implant, your potential customer can call us with the number. We will be able to tell them the date of purchase, who we sold it to, the hatch date of the animal and all the genetic traits that particular animal carries.

Is Microchip Implantation Harmful to the Ball Python?

No, it is completely harmless.

We implant a small RFID Chip subcutaneous near the base of the tail just above the vent. There is no vital tissue there and the microchip is completely harmless. When you first receive your implanted ball python you may notice a tiny incision near the tail where the implant was placed. This will heal quickly and likely be invisible by the time the animal sheds for the first time after implantation. We have used this system for 15 years with no ill effects.

The microchip can be felt under the skin in the first few months after implantation. After a few months, scar tissue forms around the chip making it virtually impossible to feel and holding it securely in place for the life of the animal. This is the same system that has been used in dogs and cats for many years but for reptiles we use a much smaller chip and needle. Implanting a microchip allows an animal to be identified for life by simply waving a scanner across the tail of the snake.

Can You Track The Animal With GPS?

No, An RFID Chip Is Not a Tracking Device.

The RFID Chip does not transmit any signal. When a scanner is placed in close proximity to the chip it activates a signal in the chip that reflects back a number to the scanner. These chips are used for identification purposes only.

How Can I Read The Chip?

You Can Purchase a Scanner From Us or You Can Take The Animal to Your VET to Have the Chip Read.

The Scanners can be purchased from our website for $199.