The invention pertains to a system for identifying an animal comprising a male part (30), cooperating with at least one cutting element intended to cut out a sample of animal tissue, a female part (40) with open head having a through-channel, and a detachable device (50) for storing said sample, intended to be fixed to one end of said through-channel.According to the invention, the system also comprises means for closing said head that can take at least two positions, comprising an open position enabling the passage of said sample through the through-channel during a collecting operation, and an irreversible closed position by which the channel is closed in the vicinity of said one end (422) subsequently to the collecting operation.