VIAN

Owl Pellet Investigation

Students have been studying how organisms use available resources in their environment. A favorite activity we enjoy in class includes dissecting an owl pellet. Learning about owl pellets can give very important information to wildlife biologists about the ecosystem by studying the components of the pellet. Seventh graders tediously dissect their pellets to study bones and compare the anatomy of different rodents and birds to determine what the diet of the owl pellet consists of in its environment. This in turn gives us information about predator and prey relationships in the area. Each pellet offers a surprise and the students love learning how one tiny pellet can be an entire ecosystem for other organisms like carpet beetle and moths!