I did try searching the forum first, but could not find an answer. I believe I found an owl pellet in my yard (posted the obs here https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/255910403). I used a glove to collect it after photographing it because I’m interested in checking out the skeletal remains that are in the pellet.
What is the best way to do this? I don’t need to preserve them to keep. I just want to clean away the other debris so I can measure and photograph the skeletal remains. I’m pretty sure it is an owl pellet, but not 100% sure. Either way, I’m still interested in the bones to try and figure out what they are. I think they are bones from a bird.
Thanks for any tips! I’m super excited to have found this!
If you don’t have dissection equipment, I’d just use a thin nail or toothpick (two of either) to tease apart the pellet and separate any bones or maybe insect parts from matted hair. Do it in a shallow tray. You can store the bones/ hard parts in a plastic vial, like a medicine bottle and discard the rest. If you’re lucky there might be an intact small mammal skull. It’s not difficult, just do it carefully.
I looked at your photos. Appears like a rodent skull/mandible and other bones.
Knowing me, I’d carry it home where I have several tweezers of different sizes and ends. Getting it home without making a mess would be my challenge. If I have my pack strapped to my waist (I usually do while walking) I know I have a small paper bag just for cool finds.
Sure, I’d use sticks or what I can to poke it enough to see those bones. (Just like I poke poo piles.)
Thanks, everyone! I have it stored in a plastic container for the evening and I will work on it tomorrow with toothpicks and tweezers. I’ll post photos back here of what I end up with. Can’t wait to see what’s there!
Thank you! I’m going to do this tomorrow. I thought it was a small rodent mandible as well, but then it looked like there were nails in there that looked similar to what was in what I thought was a mandible so I’m not sure (and wondered if it was perhaps a bird). I’ll post photos here of the bones once I get them out tomorrow.
I found a bunch of pellets a few years ago and picked them up for my summer campers to dissect. Thankfully someone in my buildling put a perfectly fine toaster oven in our trash room so I was able to sterilize them in that (it gets pretty stinky, I’m not sure I’d use my own oven).
Not saying anything about how good this advice is, but just as an experiment in using AI assistance, my browser returned this answer:
Dissecting an Owl Pellet
Dissecting an owl pellet is a fun and educational activity that allows you to explore the diet and prey of owls. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Preparation
Wear protective gear: Gloves, goggles, and a lab coat or apron can help prevent contamination and protect you from any potential allergens or bacteria.
Choose a suitable surface: Cover your work surface with newspaper or paper towels to make cleanup easier.
Prepare your tools: You’ll need:
A pair of tweezers (optional)
A small, blunt instrument (e.g., a toothpick or a plastic skewer)
A soft-bristled brush (e.g., a paintbrush)
A petri dish or a small container with a lid (for storing bones)
A black paper or card (for viewing bones)
Dissection
Soak the pellet: Submerge the owl pellet in water for 18-24 hours to soften the fur and make it easier to dissect.
Remove excess water: Gently squeeze out excess water from the pellet using a paper towel or a clean cloth.
Tease apart the pellet: Use your fingers or a blunt instrument to gently pry apart the pellet, working from one end to the other. Be careful not to crush or break the bones.
Separate bones and fur: Continue to tease apart the pellet until you’ve removed most of the fur and separated the bones from the remaining matrix.
Identify and sort bones: Use your tweezers (if needed) to identify and sort the bones into categories (e.g., skulls, vertebrae, limb bones).
Clean and store bones: Rinse each bone gently with water, then store them in the petri dish or small container with a lid. You can also use a soft-bristled brush to remove any remaining matrix or debris.
Reconstruct the skeleton: If desired, use the sorted bones to reconstruct the skeleton of the prey animal(s) found in the pellet.
Tips and Variations
Use heat-treated pellets to ensure they are sterile and safe to handle.
If you’re working with a large class or group, consider dividing the pellets among students and having them dissect and identify bones individually.
For younger students or those who may not want to handle real pellets, consider using virtual owl pellets or simulated dissection activities.
To enhance the educational value, have students research and record their findings, including the types of prey found, their sizes and frequencies, and any patterns or trends in the owl’s diet.
Remember to follow proper laboratory protocols and safety guidelines when dissecting owl pellets. If you’re unsure about any aspect of the process, consult with a teacher, mentor, or wildlife expert.
That’s actually pretty good advice! It is pretty much what I did. I also chose to wear a mask since I have no idea if avian flu can be contracted this way…I might have been overly dramatic about that…I blame my Greek genes.
I have the bones rinsed as of last night and they are soaking in water now to get off any of the tough stuff. I will take them out soon to dry them and then post a photo here. Thanks for sharing this!