A system for tracking the laboratory animal position and movement in a
walled enclosure or cage for observation and evaluation is disclosed. The
system consists of a plate placed on the bottom of the cage whereon
multiple electrodes are configured as column-row two-dimensional
electrode array, an electronic circuit detecting and measuring the
capacitance between said electrodes, and a microprocessor determining the
animal's location. The electronic circuit repeatedly measures the
capacitance between the electrodes in a sequential manner. The animal's
location and movement is determined by detecting the changes in
capacitance on said plate.