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Egg warmer

Snowy owls nest in Alaska so must keep their eggs warm in freezing temperatures. The female snowy owl must be well insulated with dense plumage to prevent it losing heat in these near-freezing conditions. But she must transfer some of that heat to her eggs which is why she has a naked brood patch on her belly, an area of pink naked skin surrounded by long and floppy feathers. As she can not leave her eggs for more than a minute or two, it is up to her mate to hunt for food such as lemmings. The male will have to look after the female for around two months.

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