Owl Pellet Dissection

Materials: ★★★ Requires materials not commonly found in school laboratories
Difficulty: ★★☆ Can be done by science teachers
Safety: ★★☆ Some safety precautions required to perform safely

Categories: Dissections, Ecology and Ecosystems

Alternative titles:

Summary

Students dissect owl pellets to uncover the bones and fur of the owl’s prey, reconstruct skeletons, and analyze what the owl has been eating. This hands-on activity teaches about predator-prey relationships, digestion, and food webs.

Procedure

Follow instructions provided in the links below.

Links

How to dissect an owl pellet - Scottish Wildlife Trust:

Dissecting an Owl Pellet - Ramsey County:

📄 Owl Pellet Dissection - Science World: https://www.scienceworld.ca/resource/owl-pellet-dissection/

Variations

Visit a local owl sanctuary or rehabilitation center to observe owls directly.
Use magnifiers or microscopes for closer observation of bones.
Extend the discussion to local prey species and what their presence in pellets reveals about ecosystems.
Compare results across seasons to explore changes in diet.

Safety Precautions

Use only sterilized, classroom-safe owl pellets (dried and treated to kill bacteria and parasites).
Wear gloves during dissection.
Handle dissection tools carefully.
Wash hands thoroughly after the activity.

Questions to Consider

What kinds of animals do owls eat? (small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, etc.)
Why are bones and fur not digested? (enzymes in the stomach cannot break down these materials)
What can owl pellets tell scientists about the owl’s habitat and prey availability?
How many prey animals are in your pellet? What types?
What owls live in your region? Are any of them endangered?
Why might it be difficult to identify exact species from bones? (many bones look similar across related species)