Great Horned Owl Pellets for Dissection

Great horned owls are among nature's most powerful nighttime hunters, taking prey as large as rabbits, skunks and other birds. Their pellets are bigger and more varied than barn owl pellets — no two are alike — which makes them a rewarding step up for students who have already dissected a barn owl pellet and want a new challenge.

Every pellet is gathered in the Western United States, dried and heat-sterilized, and ships with bone identification charts. Contents vary naturally by region and season: expect fur, feathers, insect exoskeletons, teeth, claws and fragmented bone.

Which pellets should I choose?

Horned owl pellets suit older students and experienced dissectors, since horned owls crush their prey and bones are often fragmented. For the most complete, most identifiable skeletons — the classic classroom lab — start with barn owl pellets instead.

New to owl pellets?

Start with our guides: What Is an Owl Pellet?, How to Dissect an Owl Pellet and the Owl Pellet Bone Identification Chart.