Or if you prefer the more scientific name for these dried balls of fur, feathers and bones: owl pellets.

We learned in our science class this year that owls eat animals such as rodents and birds whole, digest the soft parts, and regurgitate everything else into a big pellet. I’m sure some farmer is rolling in the dough right now after collecting balls of owl puke from his barn floor and selling them to homeschoolers. But, hey, we had a blast dissecting and investigating them!

Every scientist needs a magnifying glass.

And tweezers.

(Note to self: sanitize the tweezers before plucking eyebrows next)

The pellets were packed with bones of all shapes and sizes.

Not only was it fun to discover them, but also to try to figure out what animal the owl had eaten.

Peter and Jeremy’s pellet contained big, thick femur-like bones. They think the owl had eaten a rat. Yum.

Meanwhile, Derek found two intact skulls which according to the field guide appeared to be from voles. Double yum.

This was a great activity for these guys–allowed them to see (and feel) firsthand what we’ve been learning about.