Snowy Owl Adaptations

More than a hundred species of owls inhabit the planet. They are found almost everywhere, right from the hot deserts in North America to the cold regions of the Arctic. It may sound a bit absurd, but one species of owl - the snowy owl, does inhabit the cold snow-clad regions of the Arctic. This particular species of owl has certain adaptations which help it survive in this region alongside species like the Arctic fox and polar bear - which are known for their exceptional adaptation skills.

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus)

The snowy owl is a species of owls, native to the snow-clad regions surrounding the north pole. Also known as the Arctic owl or the Great White owl, it is typically characterized by it large yellow eyes and a sharp black bill. Adult males are almost pure white in color, while females have some trace of black color in their thick plumage. It is one of the largest species of owl, with a length of 20-26 inches, and a wingspan of 50-60 inches. It can weigh up to 4-6 lbs, though specimen heavier than this are also recorded. Its habitat spans countries like Greenland, Alaska, Russia, Scandinavia and Canada, though rare sightings in United States are also reported.

Snowy Owl's Adaptation Skills

The Arctic region is characterized by temperatures as cold as -40° F throughout the year. This makes it quite difficult for lifeforms to inhabit this region, but that doesn't mean this region is devoid of lifeforms. Quite a few animals, such as the polar bears, Arctic foxes and snowy owls, have adapted themselves to the extreme climate here. Most of us are familiar with the adaptations of polar bears and Arctic foxes. But what about snowy owls? What adaptations does it have that it can sustain in these extreme conditions of the Arctic with immense ease?

• One of the most simple snowy owl adaptation is its diurnal behavior. Unlike most of the other owl species, this owl is active for the most of the time during the daytime. This is a boon in the Arctic region where summers are quite long.
• Interestingly enough, its light coloration acts as one of the best camouflage in the kingdom Animalia. It doesn't just help the owl to get near the prey, but also helps it to avoid the predators.
• The plumage is one of the most important aspect when it comes to the adaptation of a snowy owl, as it facilitates effective insulation for the bird in extremely cold climate. The thick plumage is spread all over its body, including the toes, which helps in maintaining its body temperature around 35°C to 40°C, even when the temperature in the surroundings is as low as -50° C.
• Its eyes are large, yellow and have some stiff feathers around them. This design of the eyes and the feathers around them helps in reflecting the sound waves to the openings of the ears which are located right behind them.
• Other than its eyesight, its sense of hearing is also quite amazing. It can help the owl to detect its prey in dim light or under snow cover. The ears are placed asymmetrically and the data obtained by both the ears is processed to get to the target in a swift move.
• The snowy owl sports sharp claws and an equally sharp beak. The former helps it catch its prey even when in flight, while the later helps in tearing the prey apart when it comes to feeding.
• The feathers located at the end of its wings are serrated at the tips. This reduces the amount of noise the bird creates while flapping its wings when taking a flight towards the prey.

Snowy owl is one of the most important member of the tundra food chain. It also plays a crucial role in curbing the growth of rodents when it migrates to the south in winter. Though the bird is found in abundance on the planet today, its use for clinical research is indeed bird watching enthusiasts worldwide.