A Wise Introduction to Dissection - Carolina™ Owl Pellet Dissection
Bring the fun of exploring the natural world into your classroom. Owl pellet products are safe and easy to use for students of all ages. Excellent for hands-on, inquiry-based learning, Carolina owl pellet dissection activities will excite and engage your students. They also help you meet many National Science EducationStandards and state standards at the same time!- Discover insights into raptor's feeding habits and food webs
- Study ecosystems, predator/prey relationships, even the role of enzymes in digestion
- Integrate science, reading, math, and social studies activities
- Investigate the type and availability of prey in an area
How are owl pellets formed? Most birds cannot chew their food, and owls are no exception. Large owls feed on small mammals, birds, and reptiles and usually swallow their prey whole. Rather than digesting the bones, teeth, hair, or feathers of its prey, the owl has a digestive system that compresses these parts into a tight pellet, which the owl regurgitates. Owl pellets are typically found near places where owls perch, such as under trees and near barns. |
Grades 3-12. For a class of 30. Students gain a deep understanding of the vertebrate endoskeleton by dissecting an owl pellet and examining cleared and stained frog, snake, and rat specimens. Through these activities, students study anatomical differences, homologous structures, and examine evolutionary pathways.
Kit includes 3 cleared and stained specimens; 15 owl pellets, probes, forceps, and hand lenses; plus a teacher's manual and student guide with reproducible student sheets. The student guide includes background information, specimen guides, labeled illustrations for each specimen, and reflection questions.
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