Vole Skeleton Identification

Life Science - Middle School

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Vole Bone Identification/Sorting Chart Skull Mandible (Jaw) Scapula Front Limb Pelvis Hind Limb Ribs Vertebrae skull mandible incisors front limbs sternum scapula ribs pelvis vertebrae hind limbs A mandible is being extracted from a dissected owl pellet. Owls generally swallow their prey whole. They digest all the fleshy parts of the prey but are unable to digest the hair, fur and bones. After each night’s feeding the owl regurgitates the indigestible body parts of the prey in the form of a pellet. By examining the remains within a pellet, you can determine the diet of owls as well as the diversity of available prey in an area. Use the identification chart below to identify the remains of a vole that may be found within an owl pellet. Look at the shape and size of the skull, teeth, limbs, pelvis and other body parts to identify the prey animal. Voles are small mouse-like rodents that live in many habitats. Skulls of voles are generally less than 32mm in length. Notice the long incisors, used to gnaw plant material. Vole Skeleton Identification Photo of Vole; Copyright © E ducational Images Ltd., Elmira, NY, USA All right reserved - used by permission. www.newpathlearning.com © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. 94-4617
Vole Bone Identification/Sorting Chart skull mandible incisors front limbs scapula ribs pelvis vertebrae hind limbs A mandible is being extracted from a dissected owl pellet. Owls generally swallow their prey _____________. They _____________ all the _____________ _____________ of the prey but are unable to digest the hair, fur, claws and bones. After each night’s feeding the owl __________________ the _____________ body parts of the prey in the form of a _____________. By examining the remains within a pellet, you can determine the _____________ of owls as well as the diversity of available _____________ in an area. Voles are small mouselike _____________ that live in many habitats. Skulls of voles are generally less than _____________ in length. Notice the long _____________, used to gnaw _____________ _____________. Vole Skeleton Identification Photo of Vole; Copyright © E ducational Images Ltd., Elmira, NY, USA All right reserved - used by permission. www.newpathlearning.com © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. 94-4617 \|xiBAHBDy01775sz\