Home cage monitoring
Critter Tracker (USX-1600)
High-power ID and temperature monitoring for singly housed mice, rats, squirrels, and other animals. Connect up to 16 individual antennas, sized for your cage.
24/7 monitoring, up to 16 animals.
Critter Tracker records ID and temperature for one animal per cage. Whole-cage antennas guarantee a temperature reading, independent of where the animal is in the cage.
- Less handling, stronger data No interruptions or removal from the cage to take a reading.
- Up to 16 animals Connect up to 16 individual cages.
- Sized for the cage Standard or custom antennas up to 30" x 30".
USX-1600 at a Glance
Antennas sized for your cages
Choose the standard UA-7.5x16-3M antenna, sized at 7.5" x 16", or a custom antenna up to 30" x 30". We can match the antenna size to your cage dimensions whether you're monitoring a mouse, a rat, squirrels, or something else.
- Standard size The 7.5" x 16" antenna is an option for cages that fit that footprint.
- Custom dimensions Have an antenna made for your cage, up to 30" x 30".
- Plan with us Share your species, cage dimensions, and number of antennas so we can scope the configuration.
Zone Tracking in Mazes or Enclosures
The USX-1600 also works as a zone tracker. Place an antenna under a part of a maze, at indoor/outdoor pen doors, or within a custom tunnel. When the animal passes over an antenna, Critter Tracker logs the animal ID, the antenna, and the time, giving insights into locations, time, and preference.
- Up to 16 zones One antenna per zone, all from one unit.
- Antenna sizes Antennas range from 4" x 4" up to 30" x 30" to fit in your enclosure.
- Cable length Supports up to 35' of cable for remote locations nowhere near the desk.
- Custom mounting UID supports a wide variety of physical constraints and enclosures. See Custom Solutions for more info.
See Critter Tracker Up Close
Run it with DataCollector
Your Critter Tracker produces thousands of reads a day. DataCollector keeps every one of them: timestamped, filed, and ready to analyze the moment the session ends.
Critter Tracker Questions
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What does Critter Tracker record?
Animal ID and temperature. The USX-1600 is designed for singly housed animals, with one antenna covering the entire cage.
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Does it track location within the cage?
Not within a single antenna. An antenna reports that the animal is in its zone, not where. To track movement through a larger space, use one antenna per zone. See zone tracking in a maze or arena.
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Can I use Critter Tracker in a maze or behavioral arena?
Yes. Place an antenna under each arm or chamber, up to 16, and Critter Tracker logs the animal ID, the antenna, and the time for each read. That gives you zone entries and dwell time across the session.
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Is it designed for group housing?
No. The USX-1600 is designed for singly housed animals. If your study uses group housing, view the home cage monitoring systems or contact us about your setup.
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Which animals can I monitor?
Mice, rats, squirrels, and other singly housed animals. Share your species and cage dimensions with us so we can help choose the antenna size.
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How many antennas can I connect?
Up to 16 individual antennas per USX-1600 system. Choose antenna sizes to suit the cages in your setup.
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Can you make a custom antenna?
Yes. Custom antenna sizes are available up to 30" x 30", alongside the standard 7.5" x 16" antenna.
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Does Critter Tracker need software to run?
Yes. The USX-1600 requires DataCollector. Include it when requesting a quote for your system.
Interested in Home Cage Monitoring for Your Next Study?
Call us to talk through whether Critter Tracker fits your animals, cages, and study design.