Knowledge Base

Problem

Researchers want to know whether CatWalk XT can detect footprints from very young or very small mice, and how to adjust detection settings for small animals.

Details

There is no hard-coded minimum body weight or paw size in CatWalk XT. Detection depends on whether paw contact produces sufficient illuminated pixels above the Green Intensity Threshold. Very young or small mice may produce fewer or dimmer pixels, making threshold adjustment critical.

Solution

1. There is no fixed minimum animal size – detection is based on signal quality (paw pressure and contact area producing illuminated pixels), not body weight.
2. To optimize detection for small or juvenile mice:
a. Lower the Green Intensity Threshold to allow dimmer, smaller paw contacts to be detected.
b. Perform test runs and review the classification to confirm prints are being captured correctly without excessive background noise.
3. Ensure the walkway glass is clean and the green walkway light intensity is appropriately set – a well-maintained glass surface improves signal quality for small contacts.
4. Check that the animal is walking at an appropriate pace; very fast or hesitant crossings may reduce print quality regardless of size.
5. If prints remain undetectable despite threshold adjustment, contact Noldus Support to discuss hardware light settings or further configuration options.