Owl Pellet Dissection

We did an owl pellet dissection last week. It was so much fun! The kids really got into the project - I was surprised that it held their attention so long. You can see all of the pics here:

Owl Pellet Dissection Photos

Supplies:

• Owl Pellets (I bought these when Home Science Tools had a coupon - the large pellets are great)


• Owl Pellet Examination Instructions (free PDF from Home Science Tools)


• toothpicks or a teasing needle


• my kids used forceps to help arrange their skeleton parts


• newspaper or something to cover the table


• bone identification charts (see below)
  

Free stuff for this project:

• There is some great information at The Secret Lives of Owls, including Bone Identification, Bird Skeleton, Mole Skeleton, Rat Skeleton and Skull Identification Charts. Note: there is a section on owl evolution.



• The Owl Pages is another great site for all kinds of information on owls.



• Do you want to experience owl pellet dissection without the mess (and it was kind of messy)? How about doing a Virtual Owl Pellet Dissection?

~Andrea