Owl Pellet - Vole Skeleton

The Vole, or Microtus townsendi, is the most common menu item in the barn owl's diet. Owl pellets found in the wild are masses of bones, teeth, hair, feathers, scales and insect skeletons. They are produced and regurgitated, not only by owls, but also by hawks, eagles and other raptors which swallow their prey whole or in large pieces.

Discoveries:

• The study of the owl pellet will reveal the particular diet of the barn owl.
• An examination of the teeth of the Vole will reveal information about its lifestyle. Possessing sharp chisel-like incisors, but lacking canines, the meadow Vole is recognized as a herbivore.

Included Materials:

• Owl Pellet
• Magnifying Glass
• Ziploc bag to hold bones
• Bone Sorting Chart
• Vole Skeleton Chart
• Interesting facts
• Instructions for dissection and assembling skeleton

Other Materials Needed (Not Included):

• Toothpicks or Forceps
• Dark-colored Tagboard
• White Glue

Ages 8 and up.