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February 1, 2006

SCDNR offers Owl Pellets for education

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers education programs for all audiences and one that’s a sure-bet with youngsters is Owl Pellets. All programs and resources have been correlated to S.C. science standards.

SCDNR offers Owl Pellets for education Owl Pellets are masses of bones, teeth, hair, feathers, scales, and insect skeletons. They are produced and regurgitated, not only by owls, but also by hawks, eagles and other raptors, which swallow their prey whole or in large pieces. The soft parts of the prey are dissolved by enzymes and strong acids, which occur in high concentration in the stomachs of raptors. The relatively weak stomach muscles of the bird form the undigested fur, bones, feathers, etc. into wet, slimy pellets. The pellets have been fumigated and sterilized for use in classrooms. Each whole pellet usually contains virtually complete skeletons of the animals, which the owl ate the night before the pellet was formed.

Contact Barbara Crouch at crouchb@dnr.sc.gov or call (803) 734-3814 for more information. You can also check the DNR website at http://www.dnred.com/owl.htm for more information.

Cost of owl pellets are $1.50 each. There will be a $2.00 shipping fee associated with any order made. If your school requires a PO Number then you must complete necessary paperwork within your school/school district and fax (803-734-4300) that PO Number with the following information to the attention of Barbara Crouch:

Required Information for requesting owl pellets.

If your school doesn't require a PO Number for the purchase of owl pellets then fax same request minus the PO Number. The requester will be billed. Once a proper request has been faxed, owl pellets will be shipped the same day (depending on inventory).