Diurnal facts for kids

Animals that are active during the day are called diurnal. This means they do most of their important activities, like finding food or playing, when the sun is up. When night comes, they usually rest or sleep.

Diurnal Animals

Most animals you see every day are diurnal. This includes humans! Diurnal animals are awake and busy during daylight hours. They use the light of the sun to help them see, hunt, and find their way around. When the sun sets, they typically go to sleep until morning.

Why Be Diurnal?

There are many good reasons why an animal might be diurnal:

• Better Vision: Many diurnal animals, like most birds and humans, have eyes that work best in bright light. This helps them spot food or avoid dangers.
• Warmth from the Sun: Some animals, especially reptiles like lizards and snakes, need the sun's warmth to heat their bodies. They bask in the sun to get warm enough to move and digest food.
• Food Availability: The food some animals eat might only be available during the day. For example, many plants grow in sunlight, and the insects that pollinate them are active during the day.
• Avoiding Nighttime Predators: Being active during the day can also help animals avoid predators that hunt at night, like owls or bats.

Diurnal vs. Nocturnal vs. Crepuscular

Not all animals are diurnal. Scientists use different words to describe when animals are active:

• Diurnal: Active during the day. Examples include most birds, squirrels, bees, and humans.
• Nocturnal: Active during the night. These animals, like owls, bats, and raccoons, have special adaptations to see and hunt in the dark. They sleep during the day.
• Crepuscular: Active mostly around dawn (sunrise) and dusk (sunset). These animals avoid the hottest part of the day and the darkest part of the night. Examples include deer, rabbits, and some types of cats. They might be active during these times to avoid predators that are out during the day or night, or to find food when it's cooler.

Examples of Diurnal Animals

You can find diurnal animals in almost every habitat on Earth. Here are a few common examples:

• Birds: Most songbirds, eagles, hawks, and chickens are diurnal. They use their excellent eyesight to find food and build nests.
• Insects: Many insects, like butterflys, bees, and ants, are active during the day, often visiting flowers for nectar.
• Mammals: Besides humans, many mammals like monkeys, squirrels, and dogs are diurnal.
• Fish: Many types of fish are diurnal, swimming and feeding when the sun shines into the water.