The document discusses the basic process of evolution, highlighting how DNA mutations can lead to adaptations that either benefit or harm an organism's survival, which influences natural selection and species formation. It then explores specific evolutionary adaptations of owls that make them effective predators, such as keen eyesight, silent flight, and directional hearing. The document also details various prey selections by different owl species and the ecological implications of their predatory behavior.

1. Evolutionary Adaptations of a Predator!
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2. What is the Basic Process of Evolution?
The basic theory of evolution is surprisingly simple. It has three key parts:
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1. It is possible for the DNA of an organism to occasionally change, or mutate.
A mutation changes the DNA of an organism in a way that affects its offspring, either
immediately or several generations down the line.
2. The change brought about by a mutation is either beneficial, harmful or neutral.
• If the change is harmful, then it is not likely the offspring will survive to reproduce, so
the mutation dies out.
• If the change is beneficial, then it is likely that the offspring will do better than other
offspring and so will reproduce more. This is called an Adaptation.
• Through reproduction, the beneficial mutation spreads. The process of culling bad
mutations and spreading good mutations is called natural selection.
3. As mutations occur & spread over long periods of time new species form.
Over the course of many millions of years, the processes of mutation and natural
selection have created every species of life we see in the world today, from the simplest
bacteria to humans and everything in between.

3. This owl eats small
mammals, small to
medium sized birds,
reptiles, larger
insects, and
amphibians, lizards,
frogs, earthworms,
and insects
What Evolutionary Adaptations make an owl a
good predator?
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4. guardiansofgahoole.wikia.com
Evolutionary Adaption #1 : Keen Eyesight
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5. Evolutionary Adaption #1 :
Extraordinary eyesight - binocular & night vision
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6. Evolutionary Adaption #2 : Twist head 270 degrees
http://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/mystery-revealed-of-how-owls-can-spin-their-heads-1.1138959
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7. Evolutionary Adaption #2 : Twist head 270 degrees
http://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/mystery-revealed-of-how-owls-can-spin-their-heads-1.1138959jschmied©2014

8. Evolutionary Adaption #3 :
Protective Nictating Membrane
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9. Evolutionary Adaption #4 : Directional Hearing
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10. Evolutionary Adaption #4 : Hearing - is acute
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11. Evolutionary
Adaption #5:
Silent Flight
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12. Evolutionary Adaption #5 : Silent Flight
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13. http://eyes4earth.org/eagle-owl-in-action/
Evolutionary Adaption #6 : Grasping Talons
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14. http://www.richmondaudubon.org/PhotosSawwhet1.html
Evolutionary Adaption #6 : Grasping Talons
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15. jschmied©2014
Evolutionary Adaption #7 : Hooked Beak

16. jschmied©2014
Evolutionary Adaption #8 :
Large, Strechy Mouth & Esophagus

17. All owls are fierce Predators
http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/news-pictures-owls-their-prey?image=5jschmied©2014

18. Hunting for Prey – Barn Owl
jschmied©2014 http://www.sandralamarche.com/owlivia/OwlsFoodLodging.htm

19. http://www.owlpages.com/articles.php?section=owl+physiology&title=Food
Wide Variety of Prey: A Vole.
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20. Wide Variety of Prey: A Shrew.
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21. jschmied©2015
Wide Variety of Prey: A Lemming.

22. jschmied©2014
Silent Approach!!

23. Taking
prey to a
safe perch
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24. jschmied©2014
Preps food
to eat!

25. Head first!
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26. http://www.arkive.org/barn-owl/tyto-alba/video-08.html
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After Digestion –bones & fur come up as a pellet!

27. http://www.arkive.org/barn-owl/tyto-alba/video-08.html
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Many other birds use the same process:
http://www.pbase.com/jitams/image/11949764
7
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e90BZyiQ-Ro/S5Ss94PTmYI/AAAAAAAAClA/d_-W22BNC2I/s400/Laysan+Albatross+%26+chick+sm.jpg
Belted Kingfisher
Laysan Albatross

28. Prey Selection Varies by owl & availability
Northern Saw Whet Owl
http://www.ecologyedu.com/ecology_education_resources/owls_of_new_jersey/northern_saw_whet_owl_fact_sheet.html
http://www.owling.com/saw-whet8.htm
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29. Prey Selection Varies by owl & availability
Great Horned Owl
http://www.ecologyedu.com/ecology_education_resources/owls_of_new_jersey/great_horned_owl_fact_sheet.html
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30. Food Webs – The rest of the story
Food webs are often simplified
A predator’s prey varies with the time of the year,
weather, & available food .
Compare this food web to the data below:
Great Horned Owl’s really eat:
• Over 253 species of prey: Spiders, insects,
crayfish, fish, frogs, salamanders, snakes, turtles,
ducks, herons, pheasants, geese, rabbits, rats,
mice, voles, skunks, opossum, muskrats &
woodchucks.
• Great Horned Owls mostly feed on:
Rabbits, hares, squirrels, rats and muskrats.
• Great Horned Owls prey on other owls
Barred Owls, Barn Owls, Screech Owls,
Saw-whet Owls, but not Snowy Owls.
http://www.ecologyedu.com/ecology_education_resources/owls_of_new_jersey/great_horned_owl_fact_sheet.html
http://mrsmaine.wikispaces.com/Southeast+1
2. I can show & analyze flows of matter
& energy in an ecosystem using an
energy pyramid, food web or matter cycler.
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31. Act 78 – Coughing up Clues
Step One: Dissect pellet
Step Two:Organize bones for glue downs
Step Three: Glue Down One Skeleton
on Index Card (draw missing parts)
Step Four: Glue Down rest on Bone Chart
Step Five: Clean Up
Step Six: Get Instructor’s Check Off (both)
Step Seven: Finish all Lab Questions
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32. Act 78 – Coughing up Clues Step One - Dissect
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33. Act 78 – Coughing up Clues Step Two - Organize
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34. Act 78 – Coughing up Clues
Step Three – Glue Down/ Skeleton on Index Card,
Draw missing parts
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35. Act 78 – Coughing up Clues
Step Four : Glue Down the rest
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36. Act 78 – Coughing up Clues
Step One: Dissect pellet
Step Two:Organize bones for glue downs
Step Three: Glue Down One Skeleton
on Index Card (draw missing parts)
Step Four: Glue Down rest on Bone Chart
Step Five: Clean Up
Step Six: Get Instructor’s Check Off (both)
Step Seven: Finish all Lab Questions
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37. jschmied©2014
A Snowy Owl - Silent and Deadly

38. jschmied©2015jschmied©2015