Snowy Owl

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.

Wulfric 

Wulfric the snowy owl was found in Illinois in early 2018 with an injured left wing. He was taken to a local rehabilitation facility, where it was determined he would not be able to fly and was not a candidate for release. Wulfric came to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History in October 2018 and found a home in our Raptor Center. His age was unknown. When an appropriate habitat became available in the Perkins Wildlife Center, he was transferred to the new enclosure, where Museum visitors can now observe him. During the summer, Wulfric has access to an air-conditioned indoor space. 

Lifespan

Wild: 9–10 years  
Captivity: 25–30 years   

Fun Facts  

  • Snowy owls can live in temperatures as low as -60ºF to -40ºF. 
  • 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.