A microprocessor-based animal monitoring system.

The construction of a system for continuous, automatic monitoring of the activity of many animals is described. The system uses a microprocessor to control sampling of each animal box, accumulate activity scores, keep time, and control printout. For the detection units, infrared light-emitting diodes and infrared-sensitive phototransistors were used. With limited technical advice the system can be constructed by a novice of electronics. A system to monitor 40 animals would take approximately 3 wk to build and would cost about $700.