Ear tags are most often placed in which of the following parts of the animal?

• A. Ear canal
• B. Pinna
• C. Auricle
• D. Tympanic membrane

Answer: (C)

Ear tags are placed in the outer ear flap, the auricle (also called the pinna). This site is easily accessible and has cartilage that helps anchor the tag securely under the skin, keeping it visible and stable for identification. Placing a tag in the ear canal or near the eardrum would risk irritation, infection, or damage to hearing, since those structures are inside the ear and not meant for foreign objects. The external ear flap is the appropriate location because it stays out of the inner ear while remaining easy to inspect and read.