General Information
Snowy owls live mainly in the Arctic tundra, occasionally traveling south into the United States in winter to look for food. They perch on the ground or on low posts as they listen and watch for prey, which may include small mammals, ducks, and other water birds. While snowy owls are mostly nocturnal, they are diurnal during the breeding season—meaning they hunt and are active in the daytime. This behavior is necessary in the constant daylight of northern Arctic summers, when the Sun doesn’t set for about 12 weeks.
Like other raptors, snowy owls are protected from human trapping and shooting. Their populations are currently declining.
Meet Our Snowy Owl
One snowy owl, Wulfric, lives in the Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden—Presented by KeyBank at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
Lifespan
Wild: 9–10 years
Captivity: 25–30 years
Fun Facts
-
Snowy owls can live in temperatures as low as -40ºF to -60ºF.
-
These owls have a dense layer of down that insulates their entire bodies, including their legs and toes.
-
Large yellow eyes help snowy owls see during the day.
-
Snowy owls have powerful feet with sharp talons to grasp their prey.