Nocturnal animals

Most bats are nocturnal.

Most owls are crepuscular or nocturnal.

Hedgehogs are mostly nocturnal.

Nocturnal (Latin: nox - night, darkness) animals are animals which are mainly active during the night. They hunt or feed during the night, and sleep during the day. Diurnal animals do it the other way around.

Crepuscular animals are mostly active near dawn, dusk, and sometimes when the full moon throws light. Domestic cats hunt mice and voles mostly at this time.

Cathemeral animals are equally likely to be awake and active at any time of day or night.

Many nocturnal animals have good night vision. Their large eyes may be highly reflective when a bright light flashes on them. Owls and bats are typical nocturnal predators. More specifically, they have a larger cornea relative to their eye size than diurnal creatures. This increases their visual sensitivity in low-light conditions.

Examples of nocturnal animals

• Owls
• Bats
• Hedgehogs

Nocturnal Animals Media

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  Owls are well known for being nocturnal, but some owls are active during the day.

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  The kiwi is a family of nocturnal birds endemic to New Zealand.

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  The honey badger, a nocturnal animal.

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  Echolocating bats adjust their vocalization to catch insects against a changing environmental background.

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  Light pollution on a ski slope in Finland gives the area a hazy, brightened sky.