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A nocturnal animal is one that sleeps during the day and is active at
night - the opposite of the human (diurnal)
schedule. The intermediate crepuscular schedule (twilight activity) is also
common.
Nocturnal animals generally have highly developed senses of hearing and smell, and specially adapted eyesight. In
zoos, nocturnal animals are usually kept in special night-illumination enclosures to reverse
their normal sleep-wake
cycle and to keep them active during the hours when visitors will be attempting to see them.
Some animals, such as cats, have eyes that can adapt to both night and day levels of
illumination. Others, eg bushbabies and bats,
can only function at night.
Examples:
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