How to raise a pet owl
In recent years, pet owls have gradually become the new favorite of niche pet lovers due to their unique appearance and mysterious habits. However, as wild animals, keeping owls requires professional knowledge and strict compliance. The following is a detailed guide on raising pet owls, compiled based on the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days.
1. Legal and ethical issues in raising owls
Before considering keeping an owl, you must understand the laws and regulations. In China, owls are national second-level protected animals, and private breeding requires a "Wild Animal Domestication and Breeding License", otherwise it is illegal. Here are some of the legal highlights from popular discussions:
| Country/Region | Feeding regulations |
|---|---|
| China | Requires forestry department approval |
| USA | Some states allow the keeping of certain species (such as barn owls) |
| European Union | CITES certificate and veterinary certificate required |
2. Owl breed selection
Not all owls are suitable for domestic use. Several small owls that are relatively suitable for raising have been hotly discussed on social platforms in the past 10 days:
| variety | body length | Features |
|---|---|---|
| African Pygmy Owl | 15-20cm | Smallest in size and more docile |
| barn owl | 30-40cm | Adaptable and quiet |
| Oriental Scops Owl | 20-25cm | Good looks, needs a lot of exercise |
3. Setting up the breeding environment
Owls require a special feeding environment. Recent popular posts on many pet forums summarize the following points:
1.space requirements: A flight cage of at least 3m×2m×2m, which must be equipped with perches (natural branches with a diameter of 5-10cm)
2.temperature control: Keep at 18-26℃, avoid direct sunlight (owls are nocturnal animals)
3.health management: Clean up feces every day and disinfect every week (F10 pet disinfectant is recommended)
4. Diet and Nutrition
Owls are pure carnivores, and the recent diet recommended by animal nutritionists is:
| food type | frequency | Things to note |
|---|---|---|
| Whole mouse/chick | 1-2 times a day | Need hair/bone to provide thick fiber |
| Quail meat cubes | 2-3 times a week | Supplement vitamin D3 |
| Insects (crickets/grasshoppers) | 1 time a week | Live animals need to remove their hind legs |
5. Health management
According to recent popular discussions on veterinary forums, common owl health problems include:
1.metabolic bone disease: Caused by calcium deficiency, special calcium powder for reptiles needs to be supplemented
2.Feather damage: Caused by stress, a shelter and a quiet environment need to be provided
3.parasitic infection: Monthly fecal examination is required, and the use of ivermectin is recommended (veterinary guidance is required)
6. Behavior training
Training methods recommended by recent popular YouTube falcon training videos:
1.Hand recognition training: Use food to induce standing on gloves (special leather falconry gloves)
2.recall training: Gradually extend the distance starting from 0.5 meters
3.social training: 15 minutes of contact every day to avoid excessive stress
7. Answers to popular questions
Based on the popular questions on Zhihu/Tieba in the past 10 days:
Q: Will the owl recognize its owner?
A: It will form a food dependence relationship, but it does not have emotional identification like mammals.
Q: Can I keep it with other pets?
A: It is absolutely prohibited to stay in the same room with small pets (hamsters/birds, etc.)
Q: How long is the lifespan?
A: 8-10 years for small species, up to 25 years for large species
Conclusion
Raising owls requires a lot of patience and professionalism. Recently, animal protection organizations have strongly recommended that if there are no scientific research/rescue needs, it is best to satisfy your love for owls through bird watching activities or wildlife photography. If you need to raise it, be sure to ensure legal sources and professional guidance.
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