A Formidable Hunter I remember well the great horned owl that sat on the windowsill of my kindergarten classroom. It was stuffed, of course, but quite imposing nonetheless. This grand specimen was nearly two feet long — with brown, white and rusty red feathers. Its yellow eyes were large and perfectly round, giving it a wise look. Its talons were thick and sharp, and on its brow two curved feathers stuck up, looking just like two horns. I got the impression that this bird was a great hunter.

Of the 145 species of owl, the great horned is the largest. Owls live in most parts of the world, ranging from tropical to subarctic climates. The elf owl is the smallest at only six inches, but no matter what their size, all owls are good hunters. They hunt under cover of night, so their prey can't see them. Unlike other birds, owls have large, soft feathers that allow them to fly without making noise, which also makes them good predators. Farmers like owls because they keep pests such as mice, voles, rats and even rabbits from their crops and stores of grain. And they have hearty appetites. Henry Williamson, a farmer in England, had eleven barn owls on his farm. He kept careful watch on their hunting habits and was astounded to find that together they ate 150 mice each night! While farmers may be grateful to owls, owners of cats and small dogs should beware: owls have been known to pluck up small pets that unknowingly wander into the birds' hunting zones.

Select the correct answer.
Why might it be difficult to keep an owl as a pet?

A.
Owls need to eat a lot of fresh mice daily.
B.
Owl feathers need a great deal of care.
C.
Owls need to live in subarctic temperatures.
D.
Owls need to sleep during the day.