Natural History Wanderings

BBC Science and Environment News reported on how it is possible for Owls to turn their heads 270 degrees. Owls have a unique bone and vascular system running along the base of their necks. Owls need this extreme range of motion in turning their heads as their eyes have a very narrow field of view and relative immobility. Owls have twice the number of vertebra as humans in their necks. They also have large carotid arteries that are in the center of rotation just in front of their spines. Read more at: BBC News – How owls swivel their heads