FAQ
Are the pellets safe to handle?
Our pellets are heat sterilized before packing and individually wrapped. Treat them like any natural specimen: no dissecting where food is prepared or eaten, disinfect the table afterwards, and wash hands after every dissection. Adult supervision is recommended for ages 8 and under. Read our safety guide.
Heat treatment & sterilization
How are PelletPal pellets treated before they ship?
Every pellet is air dried, then heat sterilized before packing, and then individually wrapped in foil. Heat treatment kills bacteria, insect eggs and larvae, and dries the pellet so nothing new can grow while it stays sealed.
Why does heat sterilization matter?
Owl pellets are animal material, and like raw meat or animal bedding they can carry bacteria. The best-documented concern is Salmonella. Heat sterilization before packing is there to kill bacteria such as Salmonella and greatly reduce that risk.
Why are the pellets individually foil-wrapped?
Each pellet is sealed on its own after sterilization, so it stays clean and dry until a student opens it. That means one pellet per student or pair, no shared handling before the lab starts, and no damp pellets. Kept sealed, dry and at room temperature, they keep indefinitely.
If the pellets are sterilized, do we still need hygiene steps?
Yes. Once a pellet is unwrapped it is exposed to the room, hands and surfaces, so the CDC hygiene steps still apply. Think of it like pre-washed salad: cleaner, but you still wash your hands.
- Never dissect where food is prepared, served or eaten. No snacks or drinks at the table.
- Cover the table, use the forceps and paddle pick instead of fingers, and wipe surfaces with disinfectant afterwards.
- Wash hands with soap and running water after every dissection. That means everyone, including people who only watched.
- Adult supervision is recommended for ages 8 and under. Pellets are not suitable for children under 3 because small bones are a choking hazard.
More detail in our owl pellet safety guide.
About the pellets
Where do the pellets come from?
They are wild-cast barn owl pellets collected from roost and nest-box floors. No owl is ever disturbed.
What's the difference between small and large?
Small pellets measure about 1.25"–1.5". Large pellets measure about 1.5"–2.5", so there is more material to work through per dissection.
What tools come in a pack?
One pair of blue plastic forceps and one bamboo paddle pick per pellet, plus a teaching guide. A bone ID chart is included in every package. See each product page for the exact contents.
What will we find inside?
Contents vary pellet to pellet, but typically small mammal bones (vole, mouse, shrew, mole) or small birds. Use our bone identification guide.
Which pack should I buy?
Families and small groups usually start with the Pack of 5. A full class working in pairs suits the Pack of 20. For more bones per dig, try the Large Pack of 10.
Do you accept school purchase orders?
Yes, we accept school purchase orders. Send your PO or request a quote through the Teachers & Schools page or email pelletpal.us@gmail.com. Purchase-order invoices are payable within 30 days of the invoice date, and PO orders ship once we receive the PO.
When will refills, class kits and curriculum be available?
They're coming soon. Ask to be notified through the Teachers & Schools form.