Page 64 - World of Animals - Deadly Predators

The great © Getty

horned owl

This powerful predator can crush
a fully grown rabbit

Also known as the ‘tiger owl’, the great horned
owl is an aggressive predator. Its powerful talons
have a clutching force of 500 pounds per square
inch, similar to the bite force of a large guard dog,
which is used to break their preys’ spine. These
GREAT HORNED OWL
owls are capable of killing and carrying prey heavier
Bubo virginianus
than themselves and will prey on raptors including Lifespan 5-15 years
peregrine falcons and ospreys, as well as scorpions, Adult weight 0.9-2.5kg
(2-5.5lbs)
rodents and racoons. They have also been known to
Conservation status
prey on domestic cats and dogs. They need to eat
between 60 and 110 grams (two to four ounces) of
These adaptable creatures live between
meat per day, and like other owls they can swallow LEAST CONCERN
the Arctic and South America. They are the
their food whole and regurgitate pellets made from most common bird in the Americas
their preys’ bone, fur and other undigested material.

© Thinkstock found in Ireland or on the
This woodland owl is not
islands around the UK

Tawny

owl

This pigeon-sized

bird is Britain’s largest

common owl

Commonly found throughout
Eurasia, these nocturnal hunters
have specialised wing feathers
that allow the owl – and other
nocturnal owls – to fly in near-
silence and strike their prey
without being detected. They
use their sharp talons to catch
small creatures, such as voles
TAWNY OWL and mice, fish, birds and insects,
Strix aluco
Lifespan 4 years but they will also eat larger
Adult weight 330-590g animals like grey squirrels. Tawny
(12-21oz)
Conservation status owls mostly ‘still hunt’ – they
wait on a perch and strike when
they hear the movement of their
LEAST CONCERN prey on the forest floor.

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