<P> When perched Snowy owls often face the sun, which has been suggested to represent a visual display across long distances in open habitats . However, snowy owls appear to orient themselves into the sun or wind depending on prevailing weather conditions, therefore it is likely that wind and sun - orientating are associated with thermoregulation . </P> <P> This species of owl nests on the ground, building a scrape on top of a mound or boulder . A site with good visibility is chosen, such as the top of a mound with ready access to hunting areas and a lack of snow . Gravel bars and abandoned eagle nests may be used . The female scrapes a small hollow before laying the eggs . Breeding occurs in May to June, and depending on the amount of prey available, clutch sizes range from 3 to 11 eggs, which are laid singly, approximately every other day over the course of several days . Hatching takes place approximately five weeks after laying, and the pure white young are cared for by both parents . Although the young hatch asynchronously, with the largest in the brood sometimes 10 to 15 times as heavy as the smallest, there is little sibling conflict and no evidence of siblicide . Both the male and the female defend the nest and their young from predators, sometimes by distraction displays . Males may mate with two females that may nest about a kilometre apart . Some individuals stay on the breeding grounds while others migrate . </P> <P> This powerful bird relies primarily on lemmings and other small rodents for food during the breeding season, but at times of low prey density, or during the ptarmigan nesting period, they may switch to favoring juvenile ptarmigan . They are opportunistic hunters and prey species may vary considerably, especially in winter . They feed on a wide variety of small mammals such as meadow voles and deer mice, but will take advantage of larger prey, frequently following traplines to find food . Some of the larger mammal prey includes hares, muskrats, marmots, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, prairie dogs, rats, moles and entrapped furbearers . Birds preyed upon include ptarmigan, ducks, geese, shorebirds, pheasants, grouse, coots, grebes, gulls, songbirds, and even other raptors, including other owl species . Most of the owls' hunting is done in the "sit and wait" style; prey may be captured on the ground or in the air, or fish may be snatched off the surface of bodies of water using their sharp talons . Each bird must capture roughly 7 to 12 mice per day to meet its food requirement and can eat more than 1,600 lemmings per year . Unlike most owls that hunt at night, snowy owls are also diurnal and hunt during the day and night . </P> <P> Snowy owls, like other carnivorous birds, swallow their small prey whole . Strong stomach juices digest the flesh, while the indigestible bones, teeth, fur, and feathers are compacted into oval pellets that the bird regurgitates 18 to 24 hours after feeding . Regurgitation often takes place at regular perches, where dozens of pellets may be found . Biologists frequently examine these pellets to determine the quantity and types of prey the birds have eaten . When large prey are eaten in small pieces, pellets will not be produced . </P>

What do snowy owls eat in the arctic tundra
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