Did you know that owls can rotate their heads 270 degrees in each direction without damaging blood vessels or tissue? Why is that?

According to this article by Live Science, a physician and medical illustrator worked together to figure this out. What they found was pretty amazing. We’ll tell you in the next slide…if this owl will let us.

Using CT scans and “grown-up” science, they found that the vertebrae(the bones that make up your spine) in owls had larger holes than in humans and most birds. This hole was as much as ten times larger. Still don’t get it? We’re not sure this owl does yet either. Read on.

Because of the size of these holes in their vertebrae, vessels running through them are cushioned by air sacs. Every time their heads twist their vessels are safe. Let put that into perspective. This owl has already figured it out.

If a human tried the same thing with their 10 times smaller holes, they’d have a stroke. Again, that’s factual science. Humans don’t make very good owls.

But why do they need to turn their heads that much? Wouldn’t it be easier to turn their bodies like humans do? We bet this owl already knows the answer to this and every other question ever asked since the beginning of time. But for us mere humans, there is the option to click to the next slide.

Humans have round-shaped eyes that can easily move around in their sockets, hence “eyeballs.” That’s not true for owls. This one knows what we’re talking about.

Owls have tubular eyes that can’t move which is why they move their heads instead. There’s more to this fact…if you can click away from this little owl.

Why are their eyes so huge? Looking at them, you almost feel like they’re looking through you.

Most owls are more active in the night. Their big eyes are designed to use even the slightest light and process it effectively.

Their big eyes help them see in the dark with lots of ease, something humans would have trouble doing. This is important because they hunt at night. Although this guy looks like he might attack whatever that is a few hours ahead of schedule.

Corvids and parrots may be the smartest birds in the avian kingdom but owls make up for that with their sharp eyes. Huge wise eyes that see everything in the day and the night. This one just sees everything.

What about their social life? How do owls live with other owls? Clearly this owl is the highlight of the party with their dance moves.

Some enjoy their solitude, they’ll sit there preening and combing their feathers. This is how they keep themselves healthy. Healthy and clean feathers are great for speed, and for adorable pictures. Don’t forget the pictures!

Some will just watch, patiently with their huge all-knowing eyes. There may be no real reason why they watch everything so intensely, but we would like to think they’re collecting the world’s secrets.

As predators, small birds don’t always appreciate their presence. Often small birds of different species will mob owls in solitude. Owls, therefore, don’t mind a friend or two. These two seem like a perfect match.

You’ll see lots of pairs during mating season. Some male owl rituals involve offerings of food to female owls. Dining out isn’t just for humans.

In this season of nesting and rearing you’ll find pairs perched together. Sometimes they’ll just sit there and help each other preen their feathers.

Then there are the mothers that care for their young ones. While both male and female owls take care of their young ones, female owls tend to be more aggressive in this role. We wouldn’t mess with this mamma!

Who doesn’t like a friend? Grooming each other is common way for most animals to bond with each other.

Then there’s the social bunch who take comfort in numbers, especially outside the mating season. While most of them leave their parent’s nests in a month or two, some just need a little more time.

Sometimes it’s just cold. And a few snuggle up for warmth until it’s time to hunt.We’re not sure how the one in the middle feels about all of this.

What do you call a group of owls? A parliament of owls!

Why do owls have such adorable faces? Science hasn’t quite explained that one yet.

Don’t let that cuteness fool you, they are birds of prey. Their talons aren’t so friendly but you should be safe as long as you’re not a field mouse.

The flat look is caused by a dense ring of feathers that act like a radar of sorts. An owl can pick even the slightest of noises. We think this guy should make a Where’s Owl book.

Owls also have a special kind of feathers that muffle the sound of their flight. Creatures unfortunate enough to catch their eye don’t realize it until it’s too late. We don’t know who made this owl angry…

This combination of sensitive hearing and silent flight makes owls some of the most vicious raptors in the avian kingdom. They’re up there with hawks and eagles. They’re probably also good at making snow angels.

For humans, their flight is majestic and something worth watching. For mice it might be another story.

Cute, but dangerous. Even the smallest of owl species can be just as fierce. This one can be brutal. Trust us.

Pygmy owls are considered the smallest in owl family being just 6 inches long. Surprisingly, they’re known to eat even smaller birds.

Where do owls live? A lot of people think they live on trees, which is true for some. This one seems fairly at home in the trees.

It isn’t strange to find some tucked up tree trunks. Forests are filled with rodents and other creatures that make up their diet. This owl also doubles as a tree on Halloween.

But, a lot of them adapt to different types of terrain. Some can survive in grasslands.

Some do well in wetlands. Scientists say that owls don’t mind getting wet because of their oily coated feathers. We’re not entirely sure this particular owl agrees.

Some can live in the cold snow. They have denser feathers than other species to keep them warm.

Burrowing owls live in holes in the ground. Here are a few above ground.

Here’s a burrowing owl in a hole. They don’t actually build their own homes from scratch, they’re content borrowing the homes of other creatures.

Some of them turn human structures into their homes. The only problem is they can be noisy tenants hooting into the dark night. They also forget to pay rent.

They’re adorable and beautiful, yet can be vicious. We would admire this one from far. It looks like he (or she) is in the middle of breaking and entering.