perform the lab and fill out table: OWL PELLET LAB

Fill out the table in the document attached and upload picture of owl pellet bones labeled!

In this exercise, you will dissect and examine a pellet produced by a barn owl (Tyto alba). You will use the contents of the pellet to make inferences about the community and habitat of the owl.

Procedure

1. Put on a pair of gloves and safety goggles.
2. Locate the short, clear plastic cup in your kit and fill it ¾ full with warm tap water.
3. Locate the owl pellet and remove its foil covering.
4. Place the pellet into the cup of water and allow it to soften in the water for about 5 minutes.
5. Remove the pellet from the water and place it on a disposable aluminum pie plate.
6. Use the dissecting needle and forceps (tweezers) provided in the dissection tool kit to gently pick apart the owl pellet, separating the bones from other debris. It is imperative to perform this step carefully and slowly to avoid damaging the small, fragile bones held within the pellet.

Note: To further clean a bone, hold the bone with the forceps and submerge it in the water in the plastic cup. Rapidly “swish” the bone around in the water to clean off excess debris.

1. Place the cleaned bones onto paper towels. Identify the bones using Table 1 and the skull dichotomous key. Use the magnifying lens as necessary.
2. Record the number of skulls, lower jaws, scapulae, forelimbs, hind limbs, pelvises, and ribs in Data Table 5. Classify each bone as belonging to a mole, rodent, or shrew. As you work, place the bones into groups with labels,

1. Take a photograph of your grouped and labeled bones. Include a piece of paper that displays your name and the date in the photograph.
2. Upload the image