The invention relates to a method for automatically locating an animal by means of radio waves and a plurality of nodes (1, 2, 3), wherein the animal is located on a ground (5) and is equipped with a node (1) of the radio locating system to be located and with one or more acceleration sensors. By evaluating the measurement results of the acceleration sensors, a conclusion is drawn about which activity the animal is presently performing and at which height above the ground (5) the node (1) is located. The calculation of the position of the node (1) to be located from the measurement results of the radio locating system is influenced by the assumption of said height as a constraint.