For nocturnal wildlife, nightfall is a friend and ally. It shields many species from daytime predators and the scorching heat of the sun, while others harness its cloak for stealthy hunting. Our vision might be limited when the sun goes down, but nocturnal wildlife have specialized senses finely tuned for thriving in the dark. Acute eyesight, heightened smell, and sharp hearing serve as invaluable assets in the realm of night. Certain species even possess unique sixth senses that keep them in tune with their surroundings. Let’s shed some light on these fascinating abilities.
Big cats have their own version of "night vision."
Have you ever wondered why a cat’s eyes appear to glow in the dark? Lions, leopards, jaguars, mountain lions, and even house cats have “night vision” thanks to a special reflective layer in their eyes. Called the tapetum lucidum, this mirror-like structure reflects any available light back into their retinas, allowing them to see in the shadows and causing their eyes to shine. For mountain lions, most of their hunting is done under the cover of darkness, yet their proximity to people puts them at risk. Together with our partners, we’re finding innovative solutions to protect these big cats from modern threats through our Southwest Conservation Hub. By testing small noise- and light-making devices to deter mountain lions, we’re identifying tools for keeping a healthy distance between these predators and people, livestock, and pets.
Armadillos' strong sense of smell leads them to sniff out insects to munch on, even when the insects are underground.
Three-banded armadillos have poor eyesight, but they don’t need good vision. Instead, these mostly nocturnal animals rely on highly developed olfactory senses. By pressing their noses into the dirt, they can sniff out insects several inches below the surface. To see this grub-sniffin’ expertise in action, stop by the San Diego Zoo’s Wildlife Explorers Basecamp and meet some armadillo wildlife ambassadors.
A fennec fox's large ears are the perfect tool for tracking down their next meal.
While you’re there, it will be easy to guess a fennec fox’s superpower, considering their ears can grow half as long as their bodies. Emerging from their dens at sunset, they use their impeccable hearing to track down insects, rodents, lizards, and other prey.
Platypuses rely on the thousands of electroreceptors in their bills to detect underwater prey.
Diving after dusk with their eyes and ears closed, platypuses rely on a different sense altogether to detect underwater prey. As crayfish, shrimp, worms, and other animals move, they give off subtle electrical impulses. Platypuses have thousands of electroreceptors in their bills that allow them to detect these movements, pinpointing the location of their next meal. At the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, we are honored to care for the only two platypuses outside of Australia. Here we’re learning more about these aquatic monotremes and how we can help our partners across the Pacific Ocean save and protect them through our Australian Forest Conservation Hub.
Glands on either side of certain snake species' heads give them an exceptional advantage so they can "see" without using their eyes.
When it comes to hunting on land at night, pit vipers, rattlesnakes, and various other snakes have specialized organs that give them an exceptional advantage: heat vision. The glands, or “pits,” on either side of their heads are powerful infrared sensors that allow snakes to detect the slightest temperature changes and help them “see” without their eyes. Red diamond rattlesnakes are crucial to the health of our desert and coastal sage scrub ecosystems here in the Southwest. They’re also elusive, which has made them difficult to study—and thus difficult to protect. We’re working with our partners using innovative, noninvasive technologies to study their habits and devise conservation plans to help them thrive.
Bats use echolocation to navigate their world and find prey.
Many bat species also navigate their world in a remarkable way. Using echolocation, they emit short bursts of high-pitched sounds that bounce off everything in their path and return to them as echoes. This sonar superpower offers information about the size, distance, and direction objects in front of a bat, including prey.
Nocturnal wildlife are often misunderstood because of the unique skills that allow them to thrive after dusk. Their adaptations show us that wildlife is constantly evolving, but the world is changing faster and faster, making it harder for them to catch up. To safeguard the future for wildlife like these intriguing species, people, and the planet we all share, we’re striving to gain a deeper understanding of what they need to succeed—in the light and at night.
By making small changes, we can better coexist with nocturnal wildlife.
3 Ways to Better Coexist with Nocturnal Wildlife
- Lights Out
Use dimmers, timers, or motion sensors to reduce outdoor illumination that might interfere with nocturnal wildlife’s habitats. - Dig In
Plant a garden with night-blooming and night-scented greenery to supply moths and other species with pollen. Bats will be attracted by the insects, too, which helps keep the ecosystem in balance. - Food for Thought
Keep trash cans secured at night and don’t feed wildlife. Besides threatening the ecosystem’s balance, associating people with food is dangerous—for all species.
Discover how your support is helping save, protect, and care for wildlife worldwide through our Conservation Hubs, and witness wildlife with these astonishing senses firsthand when you visit the Zoo and Safari Park.
