The invention relates to an animal identification system, including: a male portion (30) engaging with at least one cutting element for cutting off a sample of animal tissue； a female portion (40) having an open head and a through-channel； and a removable device (50) for storing said sample, which is to be attached to one end of said through-channel. According to the invention, the system also includes means for closing said head, said means being capable of assuming at least two positions, i.e. an open position enabling the passage of said sample through said through-channel during the collection of the sample, and an irreversible closed position enabling the closing of said channel in the vicinity of said end after the collection of the sample.
