Characteristics of Nocturnal Animals

A great many animals are nocturnal, which means they are active during the night, instead of the day. Nocturnal animals share a great many characteristics that help them function and thrive after the sun goes down. These animals depend largely on several specific traits to make themselves more adaptable at night and to aid in their overall survival.

  1. Sensitive Ears

    • Nocturnal animals have unusually sensitive ears that help to protect them from potential predators. These special auditory adaptations allow them excellent hearing. This also enhances the hunting capabilities of nocturnal animals when they search for their own prey. An example is large cats, who have flexible ears, allowing them to easily locate specific sounds.

    Sense of Smell

    • Many nocturnal animals are also better able to find their prey at night due to an acute sense of smell. Once they catch the scent of their prey, they can skillfully follow and track it, and feed upon it. Some nocturnal animals also have a Jacobson's organ, an additional characteristic used to improve the sense of smell. A Jacobson's organ is located on the roof of the mouth. Although most birds typically do not have a very good sense of smell, nocturnal birds tend to be the exception.

    Taste

    • Animals who thrive in the night sometimes also have a strong tasting capability. Also known as a gustatory (tasting) adaptation, this characteristic works to help some nocturnal animals navigate and hunt for prey. Nocturnal snakes, for example, use the olfactory receptors located on their tongues to find their way along and to sense and catch their prey.

    Vision

    • Having the ability to see is extremely important for any animal, especially those who are nocturnal. These animals typically have much larger eyes that work to gather any night time light in a more effective manner. Some nocturnal animals also have a tapetum, a special reflective layer in the eye that aids their night vision. Higher concentrations of rod cells in the retinas of nocturnal animals help them to form a visual image even in low light levels. Although the image is not as clear as it when seen through a retina made with cone cells, it still allows nocturnal animals the ability to use their vision skillfully at night.