Heart: The heart of a great horned owl is located in the chest cavity and is divided into four chambers: two atria (upper chambers) and two ventricles (lower chambers). The atria receive blood from the body and the ventricles pump blood out to the body.
Blood vessels: The blood vessels of a great horned owl include arteries, capillaries, and veins. Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the rest of the body, while veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart. Capillaries are small blood vessels that allow for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood and the tissues.
Blood: The blood of a great horned owl is composed of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Plasma is the liquid component of blood and makes up about 55% of its volume. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the tissues and make up about 45% of blood volume. White blood cells help to fight infection and make up about 1% of blood volume. Platelets help to stop bleeding and make up about 0.1% of blood volume.
How the circulatory system works: The circulatory system of a great horned owl works by pumping blood throughout the body. The heart pumps oxygenated blood out to the body through the arteries, and deoxygenated blood is returned to the heart through the veins. The blood then passes through the capillaries, where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between the blood and the tissues. The oxygenated blood is then returned to the heart, and the cycle begins again.
The importance of the circulatory system: The circulatory system is essential for the survival of a great horned owl. It provides the body with the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function, and it helps to remove waste products. Without a functioning circulatory system, an owl would not be able to survive.