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 Vole Skeleton - Vole bones can be dissected from owl pellets & assembled to form whole vole skeletons. Owls are amongst voles' most common predators & eat their prey whole so dissecting their pellets is the best way to find a vole skeleton.
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Three dimensional vole skeleton pictures can be made by dissecting owl pellets, separating and identifying individual vole bones and sticking them to card to form a complete vole skeleton.
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Vole Skeleton Pictures
Owls rank amongst voles' most prolific predators and vole bones can often be found in owl pellets. Owls regurgitate pellets of indigestible material, and prey (such as voles) that isn't too large is swallowed whole leaving the skeleton of the prey including the skull intact.
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3D vole skeleton pictures can be assembled from dissected owl pellets
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The acid in the owls gut is also rather weak with a pH of 2.2 - 2.5 (about the same as vinegar), this means that only the soft tissues are digested whilst the bones and even fur are regurgitated. Vole bones can be dissected from these pellets, labelled, assembled and then stuck on to card to produce three dimensional vole skeleton pictures.
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An owl pellet of regurgitated fur and bones
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The owl pellet is broken down into fragments & the dissection begins
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Vole bones are separated one by one & the beginning of a skeleton is revealed.
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Sometimes more than one vole skeleton picture can be made from one owl pellet
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All prices quoted on the 'vole skeleton pictures' page are indicative US prices at May 2006 - prices may change - please check with the retailer.
The most relevant links we could find, placed here free
 Skulls Unlimited
- The owl pellet individual kit featured on the vole skeleton pictures page can be bought online here. Delivers International. www.skullsunlimited.com
Hawks, Owls & Wildlife
- The vole chart featured on this page cab bought online from this site. Delivers to USA & Canada only. www.owlpelletkits.com
| Owl Pellet Individual Kit |
This kit is designed for the young naturalist to explore the diet of owls by dissecting their pellets. This is everything an individual will need to study this predator/prey relationship and assemble their own three dimensional vole skeleton pictures.
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Owl Pellet Individual Kit
Price: $19.00
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Includes, three heat sterilized Barn owl pellets, an illustrated 12 page study guide for individualized study, plastic forceps, and a magnifying lens with holder.
| Owl Pellet Study Aids - Vole Chart |
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Labelled vole skeleton chart
Price: $6.00
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Illustrates the skeleton and major bones of the vole, the most common animal found in owl pellets. Printed on heavy paper, measures 17" x 23".
Vole Skull Pictures
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Profile of a southern red-backed vole skull
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Below view of a southern red backed vole skull
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Above view of a southern red-backed vole skull
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