What are nocturnal animals?

Nocturnal animals are more active at night than during the day and may sleep during the daylight hours. There are many nocturnal species, with some of the most common being owls, raccoons and foxes.

Animals that live in hot tropical environments are more active at night because it is cooler. Bats are nocturnal in order to avoid other winged competitors when hunting for food. Many nocturnal animals also take advantage of the cover of darkness to help them avoid predators. Many animals that prefer to hunt at night have large eyes that allow them to see better in the dark, including cats, lemurs and owls.