Diurnal vs Nocturnal Animals

Diurnal vs nocturnal: A diurnal giraffe eating from a tree during the day. And a nocturnal bat flying at night.

Read this article for a deep dive into diurnal vs nocturnal animals. Learn about their intriguing behavior patterns. Plus, their key differences.


Animals are fascinating, yes? Many species show distinct behavioral patterns influenced by the cycle of day and night. Creatures that are active during the daytime are known as diurnal. Meanwhile, nocturnal refers to animals who move under cover of darkness.


Keep reading to know what you’ll learn about diurnal vs nocturnal animals.

Table of Contents

Nocturnal vs Diurnal: A Brief Overview

As we mentioned earlier, animals that are active when the sun is up and hit the hay when it's down are diurnal. On the flip side, those that come alive when the moon is out and catch zzzs in the daytime are nocturnal.


The words "diurnal" and "nocturnal" have their origins in Latin. The term "diurnal" is derived from the word "diurnus," which translates to "of the day." On the other hand, "nocturnal" comes from the Latin root "nocturnus," which means "of the night."


Different animal species have developed unique behavioral tendencies to survive. For instance, some predators mainly hunt at night. The element of surprise gives them the upper hand. On the other hand, certain prey will be more active during the day. This helps them detect and avoid potential dangers.


(This might take you by surprise but it isn’t just animals that are nocturnal or diurnal. Plants are, too. Those that bloom during nighttime are nocturnal and vice versa for diurnal.)

Circadian Rhythm: Its Role in Diurnal and Nocturnal Behavior

The key element that influences if an animal is diurnal or nocturnal is its circadian rhythm. This internal biological timekeeper functions on a 24-hour cycle. And it’s responsible for various bodily functions. These include sleep patterns, when they eat and variations in hormone levels.


For diurnal creatures, their circadian rhythm is in sync with the daylight cycle. It’s what prompts them to be on the move during the daytime and wind down at night. On the other hand, nocturnal animals have a circadian rhythm that promotes activity throughout the night and resting during the daytime.

The Evolution of Diurnality and Nocturnality

It’s hard to point out the exact reasons why some species evolved to be active during the day or night. But a few key elements are probably involved. These include food availability, predators (or competitors), and temperature and light.


In the beginning, most life forms were predominantly active during the daytime, making them diurnal. This was largely due to the plentiful light and heat in the daylight hours.


But as evolution progressed, some species started to adjust to a nighttime routine. This was likely due to food resources that were less accessible during the day. Or because there was a need to steer clear of predators who hunted during the daytime.

Diurnal Animals: Day Creatures

A diurnal elephant walking during the day with the sun high in the sky.

Diurnal creatures like domestic dogs, giraffes, elephants, and many bird species are most energetic when the sun is up. Their internal biological clocks are influenced by solar patterns. This encourages them to get up at dawn and wind down at dusk.


Diurnal creatures have developed a range of physical changes to help them flourish during the day. For example, their eyes are usually smaller in contrast with those of night-loving species.


Why? Their peepers don’t need to gather as much light. According to Springer Link, their retinas have a higher concentration of cone cells. This lets them discern hues and intricate details with ample light(1).


Let's take a look at the daily routines of some creatures that are active in daylight hours. Take squirrels for instance, they're busybodies throughout the day, darting about in their search for sustenance, always on high alert for any lurking threats.


In the same vein, elephants, also known to be diurnal, spend their days in the pursuit of nourishment. They then take their much-needed rest in the evening.

Nocturnal Animals: Night Stalkers

A nocturnal owl sitting on a tree branch with the moon shining behind it.

Nocturnal animals like owls, bats, and various types of bugs and reptiles, are active after the sun sets. Darkness gives them several perks like shelter from hunters and a higher chance of surprising their clueless prey.


Consider the case of bats. These creatures are essentially nocturnal. They set off on their nightly expedition in search of insects. And they use echolocation, to steer and pinpoint their meals, using the reflection of sound.


In a similar vein, owls hunt for small mammals at night. They use their remarkable night vision and sharp auditory senses.

Diurnal vs Nocturnal: A Comparative Analysis

Diurnal and nocturnal animals lead very different lives. They’ve each evolved in their unique way to suit their specific routines.


Even though they operate on different schedules, they do have one thing in common. Nocturnal and diurnal animals have managed to fine-tune their way of life to suit their respective hours of activity.


Let's take a close look and compare these adaptations to understand them better.

Activity and Behavior Patterns

The key distinction between diurnal and nocturnal animals is when they choose to be active. Daytime animals are busy when the sun's up. They leverage the plentiful light to hunt for nourishment, mingle, and engage in various activities.


Meanwhile, nighttime creatures thrive when the moon takes over. They use darkness as a veil to hunt, eat, and interact with others.

Vision and Sensory Adaptations

Diurnal and nocturnal creatures depend on their vision to survive. Diurnal animals typically possess an advanced ability to perceive color. This helps them identify visual cues under the sun's bright rays.


Conversely, nocturnals have an enhanced capability to see in the dark. This feature enables them to find their way and hunt even when the lighting conditions are dim.

Communication Methods

Diurnal animals have a well-lit environment with which to carry on with their activities. They primarily use visual cues to communicate with one another.


However, nocturnal animals have a different approach. They use their senses of hearing, touch, or smell to interact. That’s because darkness makes it difficult to pick up on visual signals.

Going Beyond Diurnal and Nocturnal

The diurnal and nocturnal categorization is a helpful generalization when observing the behavior of animals. But it’s crucial to know that these two categories don't cover every animal's activity patterns. Some creatures just don't fit perfectly in either division.

Crepuscular Animals

A crepuscular animal is most active during the low-light periods of sunrise and sunset. Deer, specific kinds of rabbits, and a variety of birds fall into this category.


These creatures have evolved to thrive during these times. They benefit from the less intense light and cooler temperatures that characterize dawn and dusk.

Cathemeral Animals

Then, some animals aren’t strictly influenced by the cycle of day and night. They’re called cathemeral creatures. Examples include coyotes and lions.


They can be active at different intervals during both day and night. Their activity is dictated by the availability of food, the threat of predators, and the prevailing environmental circumstances.

Conclusion on Diurnal vs Nocturnal Behavior

The comparison between diurnal and nocturnal animals provides a captivating glimpse into the animal kingdom. It gives an understanding of the adaptations and survival tactics used by various creatures.


From the keen vision of a diurnal hawk ready to swoop on its prey to the diurnal owl stalking prey in the dark. Or the crepuscular deer nibbling on the grass at sundown. These behavioral patterns are proof that life on Earth is highly adaptable.


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Sources:  

(1) “Cone photopigments in nocturnal and diurnal procyonids” Springer Link, link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00223965. Accessed 05 January 2023.


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