Freshmen biology classes dissected owl pellets on Feb. 9. In groups, students used a variety of tools to examine owl pellets to determine the various bones each pellet contained. Students were able to undercover bones from different rodents as they learned about community interactions, specifically between owls and the things they eat. Students found bones from moles, shrews, rats, and birds, and later they reconstructed them.

Freshman Riley Buckles said, “Dissecting the owl pellets was a disgusting yet insightful experience.”

Freshman Lauren Snell said, “The owl pellet dissection was a great example of predation, what we are currently learning because it showed us what the owl ate. I’m glad I got to experience it again. It was a lot different from what I remember when I did it in fourth grade.”

Freshman Malique Mackey said, “Owl pellets are mysterious things, and they have mysterious contents. You may discover something you are not too fond of.”