Owl Pellet Quiz

An owl pellet is best described as:

• A mass of undigested parts of an owl's food

• A type of seed eaten by owls

• A nest built by owls

• A type of feather found on owls

Do owls chew their food?

• Yes, they chew their food.

• No, they swallow their food whole.

• They only chew certain types of food.

• They chew their food partially.

How long do barn owls survive in the wild and how big can their wingspan reach?

• Barn owls survive 4-5 years in the wild and their wingspan can reach up to 110 cm.

• Barn owls survive 10-12 years in the wild and their wingspan can reach up to 150 cm.

• Barn owls survive 2-3 years in the wild and their wingspan can reach up to 90 cm.

• Barn owls survive 6-8 years in the wild and their wingspan can reach up to 120 cm.

Besides the “bones,” what else might be found in a pellet?

• Fur

• Feathers

• Insects

• Seeds

Which of the following animals might owls eat? (dissection guide 2-8)

• Mice

• Frogs

• Snakes

• Rabbits

• Insects

How many stomachs do owls have?

• One

• Two

• Three

• Four

What is the first stomach called? (Dissection guide page 6-8)

• Rumen

• Reticulum

• Omasum

• Abomasum

What are the names of the chemicals the first stomach produces?

• Pepsin and hydrochloric acid

• Amylase and lipase

• Bile and insulin

• Trypsin and chymotrypsin

The first stomach separates the fleshy part of the owl’s food from the ___________ and _____________. (Dissection Guide page 6-8)

• bones, fur

• feathers, beak

• scales, claws

• skin, talons

Once formed, the pellet moves back into the owl's glandular stomach. The pellet will remain there until the owl has finished absorbing all of the nutrients from its meal. When this process is completed the owl pellet is coughed up or ______________. (Dissection Guide page 6-8)

• regurgitated

• digested

• swallowed

• absorbed