Nocturnal Neighbors: Meet the Animals Who Wake Up at Dusk

Dusk is the period after the sun sets, but before the sky goes completely dark. During dusk, you can see the sky gradually darkening, people retreating indoors, and the streetlights coming on. If you are outside during this time, you will see that some animals are just waking up.

You probably know that nocturnal animals refer to creatures of the night, but crepuscular animals are the ones that are active specifically during dusk, or twilight. Both types of animals are active during the darker hours of the day, and they share some of the same reasons for this.

Some Common Reasons

• To avoid predators. Nocturnal and crepuscular animals come out at night to avoid predators that are active during the daytime. Survival of the fittest forces these animals to remain hidden until safe.
• Temperature. The daytime temperature is sometimes too hot and drains the energy of these animals. Showing themselves at night allows them to move freely without getting tired as quickly.
• Food availability. The diet of some nocturnal and crepuscular animals includes prey and insects that are active at night, giving them a better chance at finding a meal.
• Human activity. Human activity during the day urges some animals to hide and only come out when human presence is reduced. This is because a lot of animals have learned that people can be a threat.

Examples of Nocturnal Animals

• Bats rest during the day in trees or caves and hunt at night.
• Owls are known for their excellent eyesight, which they use to hunt at night.
• Raccoons live in wooded areas or big cities and come out after sunset to hunt.

Examples of Crepuscular Animals:

• Deer come out during dusk to stay away from predators that are active during the day or night.
• Coyotes come out at night to avoid the heat and hunt prey who can’t see well.
• Cats have high energy during dusk (why your cat gets more active as you’re winding down), which comes from their old hunting habits that they used to scavenge.

Adaptions

Senses
These animals have increased awareness because the darkness inhibits them from seeing everything clearly. They have improved hearing, smelling, and for some animals like owls, better vision.

Movement
Because some animals still have to avoid predators in the dark, they have developed the skill of becoming stealthier. They are able to move around without attracting a lot of attention and making a lot of noise.

Nocturnal animals come out at night, and crepuscular animals are lively from dusk to dawn. Both enjoy life this way for protection and comfort. If you consider yourself an outdoorsy night-owl, make a checklist including these animals and even more that are native to your habitat. See if you can find them while on a night drive, a camping trip, or another fun night activity.