NOCTURNAL NEIGHBOURS

Let's learn about our nocturnal friends!

Nocturnal

Many animals have evolved to hunt at night, a behavior known as nocturnal hunting, due to several advantageous factors. Firstly, nighttime offers a cover of darkness that helps predators conceal their movements, making it easier to approach prey undetected. Secondly, cooler temperatures at night can be less taxing on animals' energy reserves compared to the heat of the day. Thirdly, prey animals may be less alert or have reduced visibility in the dark, increasing the likelihood of successful hunts. Additionally, some predators have specialized adaptations such as enhanced night vision or acute hearing, which give them a distinct advantage over their prey during nocturnal hunts.

Short-Eared Owl

Great Horned Owl

Racoon

Big Brown Bat

Echolocation

Echolocation is exactly what it sounds like. It is the ability to use echo’s to locate things. It is an ability that is the result of evolution in many nocturnal animals, but around here, it its used primarily by bats. Bats have terrible eyesight so in order to hunt and catch their food, they have to rely on echolocation. This navigation tactic works just like when you hear a normal echo; it means there’s something big in front of you to bounce the sound back.