ZooTrophy Animal-a-Day Database: owl

About the Project

The ZooTrophy Animal-a-Day project began on October 15th, 2013 as illustrator Angela "LemurKat" Oliver began working her way, systematically but selectively, through the alphabet and presenting, via social media, an illustrated animal to the world. Daily.

All pieces are drawn as 2.5 x 3.5 inch collectible cards, using a combination of polychromos and prismacolor pencils, along with other art materials. Many are still available for purchase ($10) or trade, so drop her an email if anything captures your eye or if there is an animal you wish to request.

It is predicted this project will take her at least two years to complete - with approximately 36 animals being drawn for each letter. She has also used the images to create a collectible hardback encyclopedia series, playing cards and a desk calendar, as well as the ZooTrophy collectible trading card game.

Sunday, October 25, 2015

#709: Snowy Owl

The Snowy Owl makes her home in the Arctic tundra of the Northern Hemisphere, ranging across North America and Eurasia. An opportunistic hunter, she preys mainly on lemmings and small mammals, but will follow traplines to seek larger prey such as racoons or hare. She is active during both day and night. During breeding season, she selects a site with good visibility - perhaps a raised mound - and scratches out a hollow. Here she will lay up to 11 eggs over the course of several days. Despite the age and size disparity between the hatched youngsters, there is little sibling conflict.

Monday, April 27, 2015

Creature Feature #555: Owl

The Owls are an Order of birds, consisting of two Families and around 200 species. They are nocturnal predators, superbly adapted for their environment. Large eyes allow them to see, even in very low light levels. Because they are positioned on the front of the face, Owls have excellent distance perception and are far-sighted. Because their eyes are fixed in their sockets, an Owl must turn her head to view what is to the sides - and she can rotate it almost 270 degrees. Her ears are assymetrical, one being positioned higher than the other (do not confuse ears with the feathery "horns"). She can adjust the feathers of her flat facial "disc" to pinpoint prey with deadly accuracy.

This specimen is a Long-eared Owl. She belongs to the so-called "True" owl Family which contains the majority of the species. The other Family consists of Barn Owls and their ilk.