Crepuscular
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Look up crepuscular in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
Crepuscular animals are those that are active primarily during twilight, that is during dawn and dusk.[1] The word is derived from the Latin word crepusculum, meaning "twilight."[1] Crepuscular is, thus, in contrast with diurnal and nocturnal behavior. Crepuscular animals may also be active on a bright moonlit night. Many animals that are casually described as nocturnal are in fact crepuscular.[2] Within the definition of crepuscular are the terms matutinal (or "matinal") and vespertine, denoting species active only in the dawn or only in the dusk, respectively. Those that are active mainly during both morning and evening twilight are said to have a bimodal activity pattern.
The patterns of activity are thought to be an antipredator adaptation. Many predators forage most intensely at night, whereas others are active at midday and see best in full sun. Thus, the crepuscular habit may reduce predation. Also, in hot areas, it may be a way of avoiding thermal stress while capitalizing on available light.
A number of familiar mammal species are crepuscular, including hamsters, housecats, dogs[3], rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, and rats. Other crepuscular mammals include prosimians, red pandas, deer, moose, chinchillas, the common mouse, skunks, wombats, quolls, spotted hyenas, bobcats, tenrecidae, capybaras, African wild dogs, and the extinct Tasmanian tiger. Crepuscular birds include the Common Nighthawk, Chimney Swift, American Woodcock, and Spotted Crake.
Some species have different habits in the absence of competition from other predators. For example, the subspecies of Short-eared Owl that lives on the Galápagos Islands is normally diurnal, but on islands like Santa Cruz that are home to the Galapagos Hawk, it is crepuscular.[4] [5]
Many moths, beetles, flies, and other insects are crepuscular as well.
[edit] See also
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[edit] References
- ^ a b Winn, Philip (2001). Dictionary of Biological Psychology. Taylor & Francis. p. 194. ISBN 0415136067
- ^ "Crepuscular Summary". BookRags.com. 2010-11-02. http://www.bookrags.com/research/crepuscular-ansc-01/. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
- ^ The ecology of stray dogs: a study of free-ranging urban animals By Alan M. Beck p.12
- ^ Frederick, Prince. "Night herons in the day!". Metro Plus Chennai. The Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/mp/2006/04/15/stories/2006041502340100.htm. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
- ^ Merck, John. "The community of terrestrial animals". Field Studies II: The Natural History of the Galápagos Islands. University of Maryland Department of Geology. http://www.geol.umd.edu/~jmerck/GEOL388/lectures/07.html. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
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