If the starting point of the head is facing straight forward, then no, they cannot turn their heads all the way around. If YOU start out facing forward and turn your head as far to the side as your head will go, most people can turn their heads about 90 degrees. An owl, however, can start out facing forward, turn its bill over its shoulder, keep going until its bill is over its spine, then keep going until the bill reaches the other shoulder…a whopping 270 degrees from the front!
That being said, you will almost never see an owl turn its head more than 180 degrees from the front. They almost always stop when their bill is over their spine and rotate their head around to the other side to continue watching something if necessary.
Long tendons, muscles, blood vessels, nerves, etc.
Sorry to throw science into a silly comic, but the reason owls necks are so flexible is because they cannot move their eyes. “Their eyes are not really “eyeballs” rather than they are elongated tubes that are held in place by bony structures in the skull known as Sclerotic rings.” It’s an evolutionarily adaptation that allows them to see in the dark.
oldpine52 over 1 year ago
Yes, and if you don’t occasionally tighten the screw at the bottom of your belly button, your legs will fall off.
The dude from FL Premium Member over 1 year ago
Interesting, never gave it thought but I learned something
Walrus Gumbo Premium Member over 1 year ago
I’m more of a topless hooter, guy!
Ed The Red Premium Member over 1 year ago
Thanks, Mr. Science!
Teto85 Premium Member over 1 year ago
If the starting point of the head is facing straight forward, then no, they cannot turn their heads all the way around. If YOU start out facing forward and turn your head as far to the side as your head will go, most people can turn their heads about 90 degrees. An owl, however, can start out facing forward, turn its bill over its shoulder, keep going until its bill is over its spine, then keep going until the bill reaches the other shoulder…a whopping 270 degrees from the front!
That being said, you will almost never see an owl turn its head more than 180 degrees from the front. They almost always stop when their bill is over their spine and rotate their head around to the other side to continue watching something if necessary.
Long tendons, muscles, blood vessels, nerves, etc.
Ed The Red Premium Member over 1 year ago
Sorry to throw science into a silly comic, but the reason owls necks are so flexible is because they cannot move their eyes. “Their eyes are not really “eyeballs” rather than they are elongated tubes that are held in place by bony structures in the skull known as Sclerotic rings.” It’s an evolutionarily adaptation that allows them to see in the dark.
https://animalquestions.org/birds/owls/can-owls-move-their-eyes/