W I L D L I F E
Guess Whooo
is in the UAE?
By Lugain Abulaban
Owls are not the typical cuddly animals. In
fact, they are often seen as bad omen in
many cultures. However, many people like to
think of them as a symbol of wisdom, so lets
give this fascinating bird a chance to be seen
in a new light.
Owls are a group of predatory birds
belonging to the Strigiform order. Most owls
are nocturnal which means they hunt their
prey only during the night. This is in their
advantage because the prey would be
asleep. Mice, rabbits, squirrels, and insects
are a few examples of the wide range of
prey owls feed on. Owls have big eyes
with nocturnal eyesight that aids them in
low-light situations, and ears surrounded by
feathers to sharpen their hearing and help
them locate their prey accurately.
The Arabian Spotted Eagle Owl
This owl, an Arabian version of the African
Spotted Eagle Owl, is believed to be the first
of its kind to live in the UAE. It was given to
Dubai Zoo in 2003 by a donor, from Dibba,
coastal region at the northern tip of the
eastern Arabian Peninsula on the Gulf of
Oman. This owl is of grey and brown colours
with white blotches and big yellow eyes.
Like any other animal, owls are a vital
element of the environment and therefore
should be well taken care of and preserved
in order to keep the food chain and
ecosystem in balance. Some ways of doing
so include spreading awareness about the
important part owls play in keeping that
balance in check. Another way we can help
is by donating to animal sanctuaries which
aim to provide a safe natural environment
for animals especially ones in danger of
extinction. They also educate the public and
work on changing the way we treat and
think of animals.
Some interesting facts about owls
Owls are one of the few birds that have
binocular vision, both eyes are in
front of the head.
Owls have three eyelids: upper that closes
when they blink, lower it closes when they sleep,
and diagonal that closes from the inside to the
outside and helps keep their eyes clean.
Owls can turn their head 270 degrees. This is to
compensate for the fact that they have bony
eye sockets which won’t allow them to turn their
eyes inside their sockets
Owls have the ability to blend into their
surroundings making it hard for their
prey to locate or even notice them.
The owl’s superior hearing is due to the fact
that they have different sized ears, which are
located at different heights on their heads.
Baby owls are called owlets.
Owls are found on every continent except
Antarctica.