Shrew Skeleton Identification

Life Science - Middle School

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Shrew Bone Identification/Sorting Chart Skull Mandible (Jaw) Scapula Front Limb Pelvis Hind Limb Ribs Vertebrae 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 shrew that may be found within an owl pellet. Look at the shape and size of the skull, teeth, limbs, pelvis and other body parts that you may find in an owl pellet to identify the prey animal. Shrews are mouse size mammals that eat mostly insects. They have a rounded and broad skull with 9 upper teeth on each jaw side. Many shrews have dark tips on their teeth due to a deposition of iron in the enamel. Close-up photo of Shrew; Copyright © E ducational Images Ltd., Elmira, NY, USA. All right reserved - used by permission. skull mandible dark tips on teeth front limbs sternum scapula ribs pelvis vertebrae hind limbs Photo courtesy USFWS. A close-up view of their teeth. A dissected owl pellet showing several types of animal bones. Some shrews are very venomous mammals. They produce a toxic secretion in their saliva. Shrew Skeleton Identification www.newpathlearning.com © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. 94-4619
Shrew Bone Identification/Sorting Chart Owls generally swallow their _____________ whole. They _____________ all the fleshy parts of the prey but are unable to digest the _____________ , _____________ and _____________. After each night’s feeding the owl _____________ the indigestible 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. _____________ are mouse size mammals that eat mostly insects. They have a _____________ and _____________ skull with _________ upper teeth on each jaw side. Many shrews have _____________ _____________ on their _____________ due to a deposition of ____________ in the enamel. Some shrews are very venomous mammals. They produce a toxic secretion in their saliva. Close-up photo of Shrew; Copyright © E ducational Images Ltd., Elmira, NY, USA. All right reserved - used by permission. Photo courtesy USFWS. A close-up view of their teeth. Shrew Skeleton Identification A dissected owl pellet showing several types of animal bones. www.newpathlearning.com © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. 94-4619 \|xiBAHBDy01770nzW