Big Word of the Month: When is bedtime



Are there really early birds and night owls in nature?

Most animals have normal daily patterns of activity. Biologists often divide behavioral patterns into one of three categories:

  1. Diurnal – being most active during daylight hours
  2. Nocturnal – being most active during nighttime hours
  3. Crepuscular– being most active around sunrise and sunset

What kinds of animals do you think would fall into each of these categories?
Check the comments section to see some examples.

1 response to Big Word of the Month: When is bedtime

  1. Larry says:

    Most of our exhibit animals are diurnal species. Our farmyard animals follow the familiar day/night behavioral patterns. Bears are active during the day unless their sleeping for days in the winter. Owls are good example of a nocturnal species and opposums are also most active at night. Some of our educational animals (ferrets, chinchillas) are considered crepuscular.

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