About the Snowy Owl
The Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) is a species documented in our database. Learn more about this species through the information below.
Conservation Status
Snowy Owl is currently listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Population Trend
declining
Current Threats
- Climate change
- Habitat loss and fragmentation
- Hunting and poaching
Photo Gallery
6 photos available
Geographic Distribution
Distribution by Region
Arctic North America
Continent: North America
Country: Canada, United States
Region: Alaska, Yukon, Northwest Territories
Arctic Europe
Continent: Europe
Country: Norway, Sweden, Finland
Region: Lapland, northern Scandinavia
Arctic Asia
Continent: Asia
Country: Russia
Region: Siberia, Russian Far East
Distribution Overview
The Snowy Owl is a circumpolar species, found in the Arctic regions of North America, Europe, and Asia, breeding in the Arctic tundra and migrating south during the winter.
Quick Facts
- Size
- 52 - 67 cm
- Weight
- 1400 - 2100 g
- Lifespan
- up to 10-15 years in the wild, up to 25 years in captivity years
- Diet
- Carnivorous, eating a variety of small mammals, birds, and insectsLemmings, voles, mice, birds, insects
Habitat
Arctic tundraGrasslandsWetlands
Behavior
- Solitary animal, only coming together to breed
- Nocturnal and crepuscular, spending most of its time hunting
- Carnivorous, eating a variety of small mammals, birds, and insects
- Migrates between breeding and wintering grounds