State 50 - Wyoming

Teton Raptor Center - Wilson, WY

This is a Short Eared Owl rescued by the people at Teton Raptor Center. No story on this guy, it was just one of their patients getting its daily checkup.

The boop test

While mainly a research and rehab facility, you can take part in one of their on site educational experiences and meet some of their educational animals.

Unlike other owls that like to live deep in the woods, the Short Eared Owl lives on the ground. They find a nice, elevated spot and dig out a small depression and line it with grass.

They can also travel very long distances, migrating up to 1200 miles / 2000 km and there had been record of an owl landing on a ship in the Pacific Ocean over 600 miles / 1000 km from land.

Discovering the New World

This amazing ability for travel likely explains why these owls are found across the world on every continent but Antarctica.

Baby toes