Adaptations Of The Snowy Owl

    1. Light colouration
    	- Helps the owl to camouflage when perched on snow
    	- In spring, when the ground is bare, it sits on patches of snow
    	  and ice, though it's not known if this is for camouflage or for
    	  keeping cool.
    
    2. Dense layer of down overlaid with thick feathers
    	- Helps to insulate the owl's entire body, including its legs and 
              toes, enabling it to maintain a body temperature of 38 - 40 
              degrees Celsius, even when the air temperature drops to -50 
              degrees Celsius.
    
    3. Ear-like feather tufts
    	- It is a characteristic of owls but it is greatly reduced in snowy 
              owls.
    	- Barely visible, giving the owl's head its typically rounded 
              outline.
    	- It helps in camouflage.
    
    4. Large yellow eyes surrounded by disks of stiff feathers
    	- Reflects sound waves to ear openings located immediately behind
    	- Acute hearing helps owl to detect prey in dim light where vision 
    	  is limited
    
    5. Active both by night and day
    	- Daylight is continuous within the Arctic Circle during much of the 
    	  summer nesting season
    	  
    6. Opportunistic hunters
    	- Can feed on mammals ranging from shrews to jackrabbits, and birds
    	  ranging from sparrows to ducks