What does the Snowy Owl eat?

The Snowy Owl's diet shapes where and when you'll find it. Understanding what it eats helps you predict where to look.

Diet overview

Carnivore (primarily lemmings, voles, and other small mammals; also birds, especially ptarmigan and waterfowl)

How it forages

Primarily a diurnal hunter in the continuous daylight of the Arctic summer, but can be crepuscular or nocturnal during winter. Hunts from a perch or in low, coursing flight. Diet consists mainly of lemmings and voles; when these populations crash, they switch to other prey like ptarmigan, ducks, geese, hares, and other small mammals. Swallows small prey whole, larger prey are torn apart.

When it feeds

Diurnal during the Arctic summer (24-hour daylight). Can be crepuscular or nocturnal during the darker winter months, especially when hunting in more temperate latitudes.

Explore the Snowy Owl