This invention provides a system and methods for tracking the positions and behaviors of moving objects such as animals. In one embodiment, the system comprises one or more tracking unit, one or more base nodes, one or more remote data hubs, and one or more remote processor with display. Each tracking unit (e.g. attached or inserted into the tracked animals) could transmit acoustic signal with a unique signature. The base nodes, after time stamping the received signals, relate the signals to the remote processors where the signals will be processed and the 3-dimensional spatial coordinates of the tracking units, and hence the animals, can be identified. Further processing of the positional information would reflect the activities and behaviors of each animal. Additional sensors included in the tracking unit provide further information about the states of the animals such as temperature, heart rate or blood pressure etc.
