Owls have many anatomical modifications that enable them to hunt at night. For example, some of their feathers are serrated on the edges, which eliminates the noise created by air flowing over a smooth feather surface. Owls can thus descend on their prey without a sound. They can locate small prey with remarkable accuracy, even in dim light or complete darkness. Experiments conducted in totally dark, soundproof rooms have shown that owls can capture prey after pinpointing its location to within 1.5 degrees in both horizontal and vertical planes! Based on this scenario, which of these structures do owls most rely on when they hunt in total darkness?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Owls rely on mechanoreceptors, which are involved in detecting sound and vibrations, allowing them to locate prey accurately even in complete darkness.

Owls Have Many Anatomical Modifications That Enable Them to Hunt