５、Development and Utilization of Teaching Materials using Owl Pellets in a Zoo

 

Kiyoyuki　OHSHIKA

Aichi University of Education

 

Raptors are known for vomiting pellets that contain undigested matter such as bones and hairs. Pellets are used as a general method of investigating the feeding habits of raptors. Owl Pellets are used as teaching materials for food webs in the United States. In this research, teaching material of owl pellets from a local zoo in Japan was developed. Owl pellets were collected from nine zoos in Japan, and subjected to content analysis. As a result, owls in many zoos consume mainly two types of animals, either mouse or chicken. Therefore, the “born chart” of a mouse and a chicken was developed. The use of a “born chart” and pellets were tried in science classes in the 9th grade in Japan, and were utilized in a few local zoos as lecture activities so that visitors could understand the feeding habits of owls. As a result, most of the participants could examine pellets positively. Therefore, we believe that zoo owl pellets are effective as teaching materials to understand the feeding habits of owls and the food chain system. Owl pellets can be utilized as teaching materials not only for school education but lifelong education.