A new museum called the Hunters of the Wild Lands (HOWL) is seeking nominations for exhibits to be placed in their displays. The museum directors are seeking predators that deserve recognition. Lions, wolves, falcons, and sharks are sure to come to mind when thinking of a predator. However, the owl is one of the most skilled hunters in the world. The owl deserves recognition in the HOWL museum.

     The owls can see and hear great at night. The owls are often referred to as "The Lords of the Night." They can turn their head 270 degrees, which is three quarters of a full circle. Their hearing is so good that they can hear a mouse stepping on a twig from 25 meters away. 

     Owls have a near silent flight. Owls can swoop silently down on their prey because the tips of their feathers are fine, like fur. There fine tips of feathers muffle the sound as their wings beat. The owls are stealth-like in their approach to prey.

     Owls have no teeth and have to swallow their prey whole. The skin of the prey is easily digested. Owl pellets can go from 5-8 cm long and 2-3 cm in diameter. The bones, skulls, and hair of prey in the pellets indicate what animal they ate.

     Even though lions, wolves, falcons, and sharks are great predators, the owl deserves more recognition as a predator. Vicious and bloody killers are obvious choices for this museum, but why not recognize a lesser known hunter. Has this changed your mind about owls? Because of its unique body features and deadly skills, the owl deserves recognition in the HOWL museum.

Go Back To My Index