Nocturnal Animals

Nocturnal animals are simply animals that are more active at night. Nocturnal animals typically sleep during the day. They also live in a den or a burrow so they are hidden from the sun and the sounds of activity. Many nocturnal animals live in the desert. They prefer to come out at night so they can avoid the extreme temperatures of the daytime.

You may wonder how nocturnal animals can see in the darkness. Most nocturnal animals have special eyes that help them see at night. Owls, cats, and lemurs all have eyes that see better at night. Bats, on the other hand, use sound as a way for them to find their way around. This is called echolocation.

Some scientists are finding that nocturnal animals that live close to housing developments or other commercial buildings are having a difficult time. This is because these buildings have lights on all night, lighting up the surrounding area. For example, the sea turtle in Florida lays her eggs at night. When the babies hatch at night and head for the ocean, they can be taken off course by the bright lights. Scientists are studying this problem to find a solution.