- The pygmy owl has several layers of feathers that provide excellent insulation, helping it to retain body heat in the chilly desert nights.
Reduced Water Loss:
- Their waxy feathers help minimize water loss through evaporation.
Prey Selection:
- They mostly consume insects, scorpions, small rodents, and lizards. These animals have a high water content, which helps the owls stay hydrated.
Behavioral Adaptations:
- The owls are most active during dawn and dusk when temperatures are cooler.
- They may also seek shelter during the hottest parts of the day in burrows, crevices, or saguaro cacti to avoid excessive heat.
Torpor:
- During extremely cold nights, the pygmy owl may enter a state of torpor, where its body temperature and metabolism decrease significantly, conserving energy.