The owl pellets that will be distributed to the students come from barn owls. Barn owls are medium sized owls with large heads and long legs. The size of the cranium is due to the enhanced sight sensitivity for seeing in the dark as well as the vast aural capacity enabling the owls to hear the faintest sound made by their prey. The barn owls are found all across the globe. They are mostly found in fields and pastures because of the increased rodent population, their favorite prey. All owls have an interesting way of dealing with their food. After digesting the nutritious parts of the small animals they eat, they regurgitate all of the undigested parts in a small pellet. The pellet is composed of bones, fur and teeth. Because barn owls don't tear their prey to pieces, there is always a complete skeleton of at least on rodent in every pellet. Every bone from the skull to the last tip of the tailbone can be found. A good observer with a little patience will be able to piece together the incredible skeletal masterpiece.
sources: Human Body Module FOSS 1992 Edition
- Begin Activity Record
- Go to Owl Pellet Workstation web site and complete workstations
- As directed, dissect and extract bones from the owl pellets and organize them into complete skeletons using the owl pellet bone chart and the skeleton identification sheet provided
- Use the Owl Pellet Rubric sheet to grade the owl pellets in their respective categories
- Complete the Activity Record