Owl Pellet Dissection Lab

 An owl pellet lab will teach the eating habits of birds of prey, such as owls, that eat other animals and small birds. 

Content:

  • study of food chains to show relationship between producers (plants) and consumers (animals that eat the plants or eat the other animals)
  • students will dissect owl pellets and identify animals eaten by the bones found in the pellet

 

Set up:

  • have class divided into 5 groups
  • have a space (library, science room) where students can work around tables
  • data projector and screen are required

Related Documents:

Owl Pellet Contents
Bone Sorting Chart
Vole
Shrew
Varied Thrush

 

Online Resources:

Owl Pellet Video
Virtual Owl Pellet Dissection
ProScope Digital Microscope Software  Many schools will have a ProScope (perhaps in their science room).

 

Curriculum Connections

 

Outcomes

Indicators

Grade 4

Science

HC4.1 Investigate the interdependence of plants and animals, including humans, within habitats and communities.
a,b,c,f,h
 

Science

HC4.2 Analyze the structures and behaviours of plants and animals that enable them to exist in various habitats.
a,b,c,f,g

Grade 6

Science

DL6.2 Examine how humans organize understanding of the diversity of living things.
a

Grade 7

Science

IE7.2 Observe, illustrate, and analyze living organisms within local ecosystems as part of interconnected food webs, populations, and communities.
f,j