LMCS HOME : Middle School : 7th Grade : Science : Example 2

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In the vertebrate study, birds are one of the focal points. We took a look at their general characteristics and then their "specialty" parts. We learned that several species of birds regurgitate the bones and fur or scales of eaten animals. Next, the students dissected a barn owl pellet and reconstructed the skeleton of one of the eaten rodents.

Students taking part in this dissection demonstrated a variety of science skills that help them discover and interpret the natural world around them, which is a life science course outcome met by this activity. Various stages of the process are shown below.

	This is what a typical owl pellet looks like. It is regurgitated fur and bones.
The process starts out by carefully separating the bones and fur.
	The pellet continues to be broken down as the dissection progresses.
As the bones were separated one by one from the pellet, the beginning of a vole skeleton was revealed.
	This is just one of four skeletons found in one dissected owl pellet. Birds of prey are invaluable for controlling the rodent population.

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Updated: 4/10/04
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