Prairie Vista Fourth Graders Explore Science Through Owl Pellet Dissection

Prairie Vista Elementary fourth graders in Mrs. Hopper’s Life Science class recently took learning to a new level with a hands-on owl pellet dissection!

Over the course of the week, students explored how owls eat and digest their prey. They learned that owls swallow their prey whole—and since their stomachs can’t digest certain parts like bones, fur, and feathers, those materials are compacted and regurgitated as a pellet.

Working in pairs, students carefully dissected the pellets to identify the bones inside. Using charts and diagrams, they matched each bone to the animal it came from, ultimately reconstructing the skeletons of the owl’s prey.

This engaging activity gave Prairie Vista students a closer look at animal adaptations, food chains, and ecosystems—all while encouraging collaboration, curiosity, and discovery!