Found throughout most of North America, great horned owls live in a wide range of urban and wild habitats. These aggressive predators are capable of hunting prey larger than themselves.
Life of a great horned owl
Great horned owls grow up to 25 inches, weigh two to four pounds and live 13 to 15 years in the wild, and much longer in human care.
Females lay one to five eggs at a time, which they care for until they hatch after 25 to 28 days. Both parents provide food for the young.
Great horned owls hunt mostly at night. They have excellent hearing and vision in the dark. They swoop down from high perches and catch prey in their sharp, powerful talons. Prey includes a variety of mammals such as mice, rats, rabbits, squirrels, skunks, opossums, geese, ducks, hawks and other owls. They also eat snakes, lizards, frogs, scorpions and sometimes fish.
Great horned owls are considered apex predators and are not preyed upon by other animals. However, raccoons, foxes, crows, ravens and other large birds attack their nests to prey on their eggs and young.
Great horned owls at the zoo
Great horned owls are ambassador animals at the zoo. They help educate guests about their species during special presentations.
