kids encyclopedia robot

Nocturnal animals facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Big-eared-townsend-fledermaus
Most bats are nocturnal.
Northern Spotted Owl.USFWS
Most owls are nocturnal.
European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)
Hedgehogs are mostly nocturnal.

Nocturnal (Latin: nox - night, darkness) animals are animals that 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.

Scientists sometimes use the word crepuscular to describe nocturnal animals that are not active when it is very dark at night; they are mostly active near dawn, dusk, and sometimes when the moon makes a lot of light.

Many nocturnal animals have good night vision. Their large eyes may also be highly reflective when a bright light flashes them.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Nocturnidad para niños

kids search engine
Nocturnal animals Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.