My Source of Inspiration

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31:30

Feb. 26, 2008

Owl Pellets

Do you not agree that every "good home schooling family" should dissect owl pellets? Well, maybe you do not. I am not sure I would even lump myself into that category, but we can now check "owl pellets" off our list!

My children were not overly excited about the prospect, but after watching a nature movie about owls, it seemed like a good next step! My oldest Darling Daughter was the least enthused about it, but she was the last one standing at the table. She was determined to pick out every little rat bone in that pellet.

My second Darling Daughter was "blessed" with the largest pellet, which she and her two brothers picked apart. That pellet had a gold mine. She was able to pick out two rat skulls and one vole skull. This was their pellet:

Really they were rather odorless, until we dipped them into water to try to "loosen" the fur from the bones. After that, I tried to limit the time I stood over them! I was in charge of photography (self-appointed).

When we were done, we gathered all the bones and put them into plastic bags. I was not really sure what we were going to do with them after that, but we brought them home. Before supper, we showed them to Dad and then left them on the counter. I felt two days was more than enough time for them to "ferment" in their juices so it was at that point we disposed of them.

I highly recommend owl pellets. It is a wonderful opportunity to research owls and rats. I would not recommend saving the wet rat bones in a bag, though...

* Post A Comment! * Send to a Friend!

Comments

Feb. 26, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by 3rsandahug

We'll probably do owl pellets at some point in the future. (Although I can already hear my son's "Ewww. Gross!" reaction.) Thanks for the advice about NOT getting them wet!
Karen

* Permanent Link

Feb. 26, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Johnna

Owl Pellets are fun. Doing them dry is also messy as you have lots of "furry dust". We did them after a Character Sketch (Basic Youth Conflicts Publication) on the great horned owl. Another good book from Scholastic is called Owl Puke. After you read those go to a owl show at a nature center -- your kids will look like the geniuses they are. :) You are truly a crazy homeschooler

* Permanent Link

Feb. 27, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by kristenph

Owl pellets are definitely a homeschooling must:-) We've dissected them before and I imagine we'll do it again next year because I'm planning on using Apologia Elementary Zoology book about Flying Creatures as a part of our science curriculum.

* Permanent Link

Feb. 29, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by blessinghill

We did that one too. It was very interesting to see all the bones you can find and the different animals that they ate. I guess every homeschooler needs to do that one.

* Permanent Link

About Me

I love being a wife and mother. There is no better job in the world! I have been blessed with so many wonderful opportunities and I want to share them!

My Family

You Are an Iced Coffee

At your best, you are: hyper, modern, and athletic

At your worst, you are: cheap and angsty

You drink coffee when: you're out with friends

Your caffeine addiction level: medium