Why Crepuscular Animals Thrive at Twilight

Fennec fox, Vulpes zerda is a small crepuscular fox
Artush/iStock via Getty Images

Written by Arnel Lawrence

Updated: May 16, 2025

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There are nocturnal animals (active at night) and diurnal animals (active during the day). But what about those animals that are most active during dawn or dusk? The animals that are busy during these times are known as crepuscular animals. Some examples? The zoomies your cat gets at sunrise or the grazing deer at sunset are good examples.

What Exactly Does “Crepuscular” Mean?

Crepuscular describes animals during periods of low light, or specifically twilight (around dawn and dusk). The word crepuscular originates from the Latin word “crepusculum,” which means “twilight”. A crepuscular animal has its peak activity during the in-between hours of early morning and early evening.

This activity pattern differs from other daily rhythms. For example, diurnal animals are busy in daylight, while nocturnal animals are active at night. Crepuscular creatures use the transitional light of sunrise and sunset. There are even specific terms for animals that prefer certain parts of twilight. For example, an animal active only during dawn is called matutinal, while one active only at dusk is called vespertine. Many crepuscular animals have a bimodal pattern, however, being active during both of these periods and resting in between.

Why Are Some Species Crepuscular?

Several environmental and evolutionary factors have caused certain species to live during twilight. Mainly, it is a survival strategy to find food and avoid danger. Here are a few reasons these animals evolved crepuscular behavior:

  • Reduced competition for resources: Less overlap and rivalry during these times
  • Moderate temperatures: In some areas, being active during twilight lets animals avoid the extreme heat of typical hours
  • Avoiding predators: Twilight can offer a safer window to be active

To summarize, crepuscular activity provides an adaptive sweet spot. Twilight does not present the same challenges as other times of day, allowing these animals to thrive. They can see and move around with fewer predators watching and in more comfortable conditions. Some of these factors are what have driven the evolution of crepuscular behavior in a variety of species.

Examples of Crepuscular Animals

Crepuscular behavior is found in many different kinds of animals, such as mammals, birds, insects, and more. Below are a few examples of crepuscular animals and how they live:

1. Deer

Deer are primarily active during the twilight hours.

2. Rabbits and Hares

Antelope Jackrabbit - the Biggest of All North American Rabbits (Lepus Alleni) and Hares

Rabbits and hares are active during twilight mainly to avoid predators.

3. Coyotes and Foxes

A curious coyote in Big Bend National Park

Coyotes are a canine species native to southwestern Texas, including the area around Big Bend National Park.

4. Cats

Stray cats in China get cared for by locals.

Many of a cat’s prey species, such as rodents and small birds, are active during crepuscular hours, which aligns with the cat’s peak activity times.

5. Fireflies

Fireflies

Fireflies are a beautiful and welcome sight in the spring and summer.

These examples show how diverse the list of crepuscular animals can be. Animals have found methods to prosper in the dim light of early morning and late evening. Next time you are out during a serene sunrise or sunset, keep an eye out for crepuscular animals coming to life, showcasing an amazing evolutionary strategy that plays out in the twilight.


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About the Author

Arnel Lawrence

Arnel is a driven nature and science writer, entomologist and avid researcher whose curiosity led her across a multitude of fields, from marine biology to agricultural science. Arnel uses science and creativity together to tell stories about nature in a way that people connect with it. Her background covers many topics, and she loves diving into nature's mysteries and sharing what she finds. Besides writing, Arnel runs her Instagram page @arnelslens, where she posts her own macrophotography, explores her curiosity about wildlife and talks about conservation and sustainability.

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