Kidwings Explores
Esophagus
Pellet Formation
Glandular Stomach Muscular Stomach
1.
Intestines
Prey is positioned head-first in the beak.
Vent
Barn Owls do not have teeth to chew prey. Some large prey may be torn into smaller pieces before they are swallowed, but usually the Barn Owl will swallow them whole, in one bite. This is how Barn Owls eat shrews, mice, voles, and most rates. Since owls do not have teeth, the bones cannot be ground into small pieces that pass through the body. Instead, the prey is completely broken apart by chemicals in the stomach called enzymes. Along with pressure from the stomach muscles, this separates the fleshy portions from the bone and hair. Muscular parts in the stomach prevent the bones and hair from going any further, but they allow the digested, fleshy portions to enter the intestine. This is where the nutrients are collected and sent to the rest of the body. These nutrients include proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and water- all of the things that an owl needs to make energy and continue living.
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2. Prey is swallowed and passes through the esophagus.
3. Prey enters the glandular stomach.
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