Gestational Period
Snowy owls are monogamous and pairs for life. The breeding season occurs between May through to September. They begin laying eggs at a time in mid May and finish laying by early June. The average clutch size is about 7-8 eggs but 3-15 is possible depending on the food supplies. The eggs are approximately 2.2 in 5.7cm length and 1.8in 4.5cm in width. The snowy owl nests directly on the ground (sometimes on a slightly upraised area) or on a large rock. After the 31-33 day incubation period the owlets hatch using their egg tooth to crack open the shell. The young can walk at about 2 weeks of age and leaves the nest at 20-30 day old, remaining in the adults territory unable to fly. The adults take care of their young for at least another 10 weeks, until the young reach sexual maturity at 1 years of age, although their first breeding doesn't happen until their second year. At 40-50 days they can fly. After 60 days they are able to hunt for themselves.
Snowy owls are monogamous and pairs for life. The breeding season occurs between May through to September. They begin laying eggs at a time in mid May and finish laying by early June. The average clutch size is about 7-8 eggs but 3-15 is possible depending on the food supplies. The eggs are approximately 2.2 in 5.7cm length and 1.8in 4.5cm in width. The snowy owl nests directly on the ground (sometimes on a slightly upraised area) or on a large rock. After the 31-33 day incubation period the owlets hatch using their egg tooth to crack open the shell. The young can walk at about 2 weeks of age and leaves the nest at 20-30 day old, remaining in the adults territory unable to fly. The adults take care of their young for at least another 10 weeks, until the young reach sexual maturity at 1 years of age, although their first breeding doesn't happen until their second year. At 40-50 days they can fly. After 60 days they are able to hunt for themselves.
Breeding
The snowy owls breeding ground is located in remote areas free from human disturbance. The population of the snowy owl depends on the cycles of it's prey, their population relies on their food source. The snowy owls breeding population in Banks island in Canada ranges from 2,000 to 20,000. The female makes her nest in a hollow in the ground. Like other species of owls the female snowy owl will stagger her egg-laying. This gives the older chicks and the stronger the advantage in periods when food is in short supply. The chicks eat most of the food that their parents provide, however they may even kill and eat their younger, weaker siblings. The owlets hatch after a 30 day incubation period, using their 'egg tooth' to crack open the shell.
The snowy owls breeding ground is located in remote areas free from human disturbance. The population of the snowy owl depends on the cycles of it's prey, their population relies on their food source. The snowy owls breeding population in Banks island in Canada ranges from 2,000 to 20,000. The female makes her nest in a hollow in the ground. Like other species of owls the female snowy owl will stagger her egg-laying. This gives the older chicks and the stronger the advantage in periods when food is in short supply. The chicks eat most of the food that their parents provide, however they may even kill and eat their younger, weaker siblings. The owlets hatch after a 30 day incubation period, using their 'egg tooth' to crack open the shell.