Owl Pellet Dissection

What type of pellets did we dissect?

• owl

• cat

• human

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

You can discover what an owl has eaten by dissecting an owl pellet and recovering the prey's:

• skull

• spine bones

• leg bones

• all of these choices

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Tools used to find bones in the pellet include...

• gloves

• foreceps

• dissecting pan

• all of these choices

Another name for the lower jawbone is...

• radius

• mandible

• femur

• tibia

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Another name for the hips is called _____.

• cranium

• humerus

• pelvis

• femur

What can be found inside an owl pellet?

• Stones, twigs, and leaves

• Seeds, nuts, and berries

• Shells, sand, and seaweed

• Bones, fur, feathers, and teeth

What is an owl pellet?

• Owl pellets are the regurgitated indigestible parts of an owl's prey.

• Owl pellets are the nests built by an owl.

• Owl pellets are the feathers of an owl.

• Owl pellets are the eggs laid by an owl.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Why do owls regurgitate pellets?

• To get rid of indigestible parts of their prey.

• To mark their territory.

• To practice their hunting skills.

• They don't like the taste.

Which bones were found in the pellets?

• skulls

• femurs

• pelvis

• vertebrae

• jaw bones

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Why can't owls digest all of their prey?

• They are picky eaters.

• They can't digest bones and fur.

• They eat too much.

• The owl saves the bones for later.