Home Cage Temperature Monitoring by Species
Temperature monitoring recommendations for mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, primates, dogs, pigs, and ferrets. Find your species below, then compare the systems that fit your cages.
Four Things to Consider
These four questions can help narrow down the home cage monitoring options.
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What Species?
This is the most important question. Not every system has a read range large enough for every animal, so the species decides which systems are even in the running.
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Group Housing?
Decide whether the animals will be group housed during monitoring. Some systems read multiple animals in one cage, and others are designed for single housing.
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What Type of Study?
How much the animals move changes the options. A hibernation study, where an animal may stay in one spot for hours, has different requirements than a study where animals move throughout the day.
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How Much Data?
One reading per minute and one reading per hour require different solutions. A smaller sample rate can add scale and flexibility to the solution, while high sample rates require a more precise system.
Compare Systems by Species
Temperature Monitoring for Mice
AnyCage+ is our flagship system for temperature monitoring across multiple cages. Choose AnyCage Lite for smaller studies or pilots. Choose Mouse Matrix when you need activity and zone location alongside temperature.
| Fit | Product | Recommended | Suitable for Group Housing | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Compatible | AnyCage Lite | Small studies | Yes | $ |
 Recommended | AnyCage+ | Recommended | Yes | $$ |
| Compatible | Mouse Matrix | Activity + temperature | Yes | $$$ |
| Compatible | Critter Tracker | Single housing | No | $$$ |
For the highest resolution for temperature data in single housing, consider Mouse Matrix or Critter Tracker.
Temperature Monitoring for Rats
Mouse Matrix combines temperature monitoring with activity and zone location for rats. Critter Tracker is an option when the study uses single housing and temperature is the priority.
| Fit | Product | Recommended | Suitable for Group Housing | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compatible | AnyCage Lite | Small studies | Yes | $ |
| Recommended | AnyCage+ | Recommended | Yes | $$ |
| Compatible | Mouse Matrix | Activity + temperature | Yes | $$$ |
| Compatible | Critter Tracker | Single housing | No | $$$ |
For the highest resolution for temperature data in single housing, consider Mouse Matrix or Critter Tracker.
Temperature Monitoring for Gerbils
AnyCage+ is our recommended option for temperature monitoring in gerbils. Critter Tracker can also be an option in certain configurations.
| Fit | Product | Recommended | Suitable for Group Housing | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recommended | AnyCage+ | Yes | Yes | $$ |
| Compatible | Critter Tracker | Situational | No | $$$ |
| Depends on setup | AnyCage Lite | - | - | - |
| Depends on setup | Mouse Matrix | - | - | - |
Share your cage dimensions and housing arrangement so we can match the antenna setup.
Temperature Monitoring for Hamsters
AnyCage+ is our recommended option for temperature monitoring in hamsters. Critter Tracker can also be an option in certain configurations.
| Fit | Product | Recommended | Suitable for Group Housing | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recommended | AnyCage+ | Yes | Yes | $$ |
| Compatible | Critter Tracker | Situational | No | $$$ |
| Depends on setup | AnyCage Lite | - | - | - |
| Depends on setup | Mouse Matrix | - | - | - |
Share your cage dimensions and housing arrangement so we can match the antenna setup.
Temperature Monitoring for Guinea Pigs
Critter Tracker is our recommended option for guinea pigs in single housing. AnyCage+ can also be an option in certain configurations.
| Fit | Product | Recommended | Suitable for Group Housing | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recommended | Critter Tracker | Yes | No | $$$ |
| Compatible | AnyCage+ | Situational | Yes | $$ |
| Depends on setup | AnyCage Lite | - | - | - |
| Depends on setup | Mouse Matrix | - | - | - |
Confirm cage dimensions and antenna coverage for the planned housing arrangement.
Temperature Monitoring for Ferrets
Critter Tracker is our recommended option for ferrets in single housing. AnyCage+ can also be an option in certain configurations.
| Fit | Product | Recommended | Suitable for Group Housing | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recommended | Critter Tracker | Yes | No | $$$ |
| Compatible | AnyCage+ | Situational | Yes | $$ |
| Depends on setup | AnyCage Lite | - | - | - |
| Depends on setup | Mouse Matrix | - | - | - |
Temperature Monitoring for Rabbits
Critter Tracker is our recommended option for rabbits in single housing. AnyCage+ can also be an option in certain configurations.
| Fit | Product | Recommended | Suitable for Group Housing | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recommended | Critter Tracker | Yes | No | $$$ |
| Compatible | AnyCage+ | Situational | Yes | $$ |
| Depends on setup | AnyCage Lite | - | - | - |
| Depends on setup | Mouse Matrix | - | - | - |
Share the enclosure dimensions and housing arrangement so we can match the antenna setup.
Temperature Monitoring for Primates
Critter Tracker is our recommended starting point for primates in single housing. Share the enclosure dimensions so we can match the antennas to your setup.
| Fit | Product | Recommended | Suitable for Group Housing | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compatible | Critter Tracker | Situational | Situational | $$$ |
| Depends on setup | AnyCage+ | - | - | - |
| Depends on setup | AnyCage Lite | - | - | - |
| Depends on setup | Mouse Matrix | - | - | - |
With larger animals a custom antenna is generally recommended.
Temperature Monitoring for Dogs
Critter Tracker is our recommended starting point for dogs in single housing. Antenna placement and coverage should be planned around the enclosure and the animals.
| Fit | Product | Recommended | Suitable for Group Housing | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compatible | Critter Tracker | Situational | - | $$$ |
| Depends on setup | AnyCage+ | - | - | - |
| Depends on setup | AnyCage Lite | - | - | - |
| Depends on setup | Mouse Matrix | - | - | - |
With larger animals a custom antenna is generally recommended.
Temperature Monitoring for Pigs and Minipigs
Critter Tracker is our recommended starting point for pigs and minipigs in single housing. Share your enclosure dimensions so we can scope the antenna configuration.
| Fit | Product | Recommended | Suitable for Group Housing | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compatible | Critter Tracker | Situational | Situational | $$$ |
| Depends on setup | AnyCage+ | - | - | - |
| Depends on setup | AnyCage Lite | - | - | - |
| Depends on setup | Mouse Matrix | - | - | - |
With larger animals a custom antenna is generally recommended.
Temperature Monitoring for Goats
Critter Tracker is our recommended starting point for goats in single housing. Share the enclosure dimensions so we can match the antennas to your setup.
| Fit | Product | Recommended | Suitable for Group Housing | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compatible | Critter Tracker | Situational | Situational | $$$ |
| Depends on setup | AnyCage+ | - | - | - |
| Depends on setup | AnyCage Lite | - | - | - |
| Depends on setup | Mouse Matrix | - | - | - |
With larger animals a custom antenna is generally recommended.
Temperature Monitoring for Sheep
Critter Tracker is our recommended starting point for sheep in single housing. Share the enclosure dimensions so we can match the antennas to your setup.
| Fit | Product | Recommended | Suitable for Group Housing | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compatible | Critter Tracker | Situational | Situational | $$$ |
| Depends on setup | AnyCage+ | - | - | - |
| Depends on setup | AnyCage Lite | - | - | - |
| Depends on setup | Mouse Matrix | - | - | - |
With larger animals a custom antenna is generally recommended.
The Systems Behind These Recommendations
Each home cage system pairs with the UCT-2112 temperature microchip. Compare the systems above, then review the product that fits your species.
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TemperatureUCT-2112 Temperature Microchip
- Unique ID
- Temperature
- 12.5G
2.1 x 13 mm with a ±0.1 °C temperature sensor. Returns ID and core temperature on the same scan.
View UCT-2112 -
Home cage monitoringAnyCage+
- Rack-scale
- Continuous
- Temperature
Continuous, per-animal temperature monitoring for reduced handling and improved animal welfare. Up to 96 cages per controller.
View AnyCage+ -
Home cage monitoringCritter Tracker (USX-1600)
- Single housing
- Up to 16 antennas
- ID + temperature
Animal ID and temperature for singly housed mice, rats, squirrels, and other animals. Up to 16 antennas, with custom sizes up to 30 inches square.
View Critter Tracker -
Home cage monitoringMouse Matrix
- Temperature + activity
- Up to 5 mice/cage
- 24/7
Per-animal temperature, locomotor activity, and zone location for group-housed mice — continuous, no handling, through the dark phase.
View Mouse Matrix
Tell Us About Your Species and Housing
Share your cage dimensions, animals per cage, and the data you need. We'll help you choose the system and antenna setup.