Crepuscular animal

A red fox at dusk
A domestic cat at low light

In zoology, a crepuscular animal is one that is active primarily during the twilight period,[1] being matutinal, vespertine/vespertinal, or both. This is distinguished from diurnal and nocturnal behavior, where an animal is active during the hours of daylight and of darkness, respectively. Some crepuscular animals may also be active by moonlight or during an overcast day. Matutinal animals are active only before sunrise, and vespertine only after sunset.

A number of factors affect the time of day an animal is active. Predators hunt when their prey is available, and prey try to avoid the times when their principal predators are at large. The temperature may be too high at midday or too low at night.[2] Some creatures may adjust their activities depending on local competition.

  1. ^ "Glossary". North American Mammals. SmithsonianNational Museum of Natural History. Archived from the original on May 25, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
  2. ^ "Crepuscular". Macmillan Science Library: Animal Sciences. Macmillan Reference. 2001–2006. Retrieved 2011-07-11.

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