OWL PELLET DISSECTION
BRAINSTORMING BACKGROUND SCHEMA
Directions~ As a class create a concept map of your collective background schema about Owls and Owl pellets.
Option 1 (Internet): You will be using a PEAR DECK DROP SLIDES in your google classroom.
Option 2 (No Internet): You will create a concept map on the board.
Directions~ As a class create a concept map of your collective background schema about Owls and Owl pellets.
Option 1 (Internet): You will be using a PEAR DECK DROP SLIDES in your google classroom.
Option 2 (No Internet): You will create a concept map on the board.
Closure:
I have recorded my reflections on background Schema about owls through a concept map.
(Notes must be checked off before leaving.)
I have recorded my reflections on background Schema about owls through a concept map.
(Notes must be checked off before leaving.)
DISSECTION DAY
EXPECTATIONS REVIEW
SCIENTIFIC METHOD Remember our review of the Scientific Method. You can review them HERE. SAFETY IN THE LAB Remember our lab expectations. You can review them HERE. ~Each owl pellet has been heat sterilized at 250 degrees for 2 hours. ~Wash your hands before and after dissection ~Use tray or large paper to avoid working directly on surface of tables/desks. ~Wash or Sanitize your work area after handling the owl pellets. |
KEY VOCABULARY
Disgorge Regurgitate Forceps sterilize sanitize digestable indigestible Biodiversity ecosystems Food Chain Food Web |
Student Created
Guiding Questions
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Objectives:
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TOOLS NEEDED
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Overview
Owls, disgorge pellets containing the indigestible parts of their prey. Today you will examine these pellets and identify some of the prey. Most of these pellets were collected from roosting sites of an owl. Wildlife biologists routinely collect and examine owl pellets to determine the species populations, proportions, and seasonal variations among the owl's prey or even to get a quick assessment of the small mammal population of a given area. Through this inquiry we will piece together the natural food web of owls and assess a predator/prey relationship. Based on these findings we will determine the level of biodiversity of the owl's ecosystem. |
Procedures
- Distribute the supplies. Review your background information and dissection instructions in full before beginning. Make sure you keep your work area organized so that you do not loose track of any bones.
- Open your kit and take out your materials so that you may lay them out for access when needed.
- Place the owl pellet on the tray or paper plate. Using your gingers or the probes take your time and break apart your owl pellet. BE GENTLE! Do not push the probe any further into the pellet than necessary.
- Remember some bones may be small and hard to find. Be careful that you do not discard any. Clean the bones of debris and begin to sort them according to type.
- Compare the bones to the Owl Pellet Bone Chart to determine which form of prey it might have come from. You can also use the Skull Identification Key to determine the species.
- Identify as many bones as possible by placing the matching bones on the corresponding bone chart. Tape any bones found onto your appropriate bone skeleton guide.
- Repeat this process until you have completely taken apart the pellet and removed all of the bones.
- Record your findings by completing the Data and Questions sheet in your packet
- Compare your findings with your classmates.
CLEAN UP
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CLOSURE
Use your phone to scan the QR code below to answer your closing reflection question before leaving class. If you can not access this code through a QR reader, click on the image. |
ANALYSIS and REFLECTION
CLASS DEBRIEFING
DISCUSSION REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
OPTION 1~ INTERNET: AFTER Debriefing and discussion, log into your Google Classroom to Participate in the Interactive Discussion Slides to answer these questions.
OPTION 2~ NO INTERNET: AFTER Debriefing and discussion, complete a copy of the Questions, Observations, and Conclusions Handout. Turn in as exit slip.
- Take a few moments to organize your materials and Review your findings from yesterday.
- Complete the packet if you have not yet done so.
- Record your findings as you complete the Animal Identification from Owl Pellet Data Sheet. Discuss as a class what you found to identify the total number of pellets examined and the average number of prey animals per pellet.
DISCUSSION REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
- What prey did you find?
- What size owl does this indicate?
- How many of species fell prey to your owl?
- How close did you come to finding a complete skeleton?
- Why might it be difficult to piece together a whole skeleton from the bones in the pellet?
OPTION 1~ INTERNET: AFTER Debriefing and discussion, log into your Google Classroom to Participate in the Interactive Discussion Slides to answer these questions.
OPTION 2~ NO INTERNET: AFTER Debriefing and discussion, complete a copy of the Questions, Observations, and Conclusions Handout. Turn in as exit slip.
APPLICATION
CREATIVE
Create a FOOD WEB for the Common Barn Owl, Tyto alba, based on your findings. Must include a minimum of 5 organisms. Must have clearly marked energy paths. WRITING: INFERENCE ABOUT INTERPRETATIONS Write a paragraph in Google Classroom detailing your inference as you answer the following question. What do the pellets you dissected indicate about the biodiversity of the ecosystem of your chosen Common Barn Owl? |