Interesting Facts About Snowy Owls

Also known as Arctic Owls, Great White Owls, Ghost Owls and Ermine Owls, Snowy Owls are native to the Arctic Circle. Their white feathers help them blend in with their snowy habitat. The adult males are completely white, while the females are white with dark spots. Snowy owls have round heads, yellow eyes, black bills, and heavily feathered feet with thick pads. A group of snowy owls- believe-it-or-not- is called a blizzard. Read this informative article and learn more interesting facts about snowy owls.

Other Places They Can Be Found

Although a Snowy Owl primarily lives in the Arctic, they can be found in Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Europe, Asia, and in locations north of the Arctic Circle. They sometimes migrate south. They are nomadic and will travel to find food. The Snowy Owl is the official bird of Quebec, Canada.

General Facts

Snowy Owls are one of the largest species of owls in the world. Their average wingspan is 54 to 66 inches; their body length is 20 to 27 inches, and their tail is 8-3/4 to 10-3/4 inches long. They weigh between 3-1/2 and 6-1/2 pounds. They are the heaviest owls in North America. The average life span of a Snowy Owl is 10 to 17 years.

Diet

Another interesting fact about Snowy Owls is they are diurnal. Most owls are active at night. Snowy Owls are active both day and night. When they hunt, they perch patiently until they spot their prey. They mainly eat lemmings. An adult Snowy Owl may devour 3 to 5 lemmings daily. When there are no lemmings available, they also eat other rodents, birds, fish and rabbits. They swallow small prey whole. Within 24 hours of eating a rodent, for example, they regurgitate a pellet- the bones.

Predators

Fortunately, Snowy Owls have few enemies they need to worry about. Their main predators are human hunters, wild dogs, wolves and fox.

Reproduction

Snowy Owls breed in the Arctic in May. The females nest on elevated places on the ground. They choose their locations wisely. Wherever they lay their eggs, they can keep a close watch on their surroundings. There is also plenty of food nearby. The females can lay as many as 14 eggs. Typically they lay 7 eggs. While the female sits on the eggs to keep them warm, the male Snowy Owl provides her with food. Both fiercely defend the nest against attackers.

In roughly a month, owlets hatch from the Snowy Owl eggs. The male and female feed, care, and protect them for them for about another month until they begin to leave the nest. The owlets aren’t able to fly until they are at least 50 days old.

Resources

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/snowy-owl/

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Snowy_Owl/id/ac

http://www.defenders.org/wildlife_and_habitat/wildlife/snowy_owl.php

http://www.nwf.org/Kids/Ranger-Rick/Animals/Birds/10-Fun-Facts-About-Snowy-Owls.aspx


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