Thanks to People, Many Animals Become Nocturnal

[Judi Lynn]

Thanks to People, Many Animals Become Nocturnal
June 14, 2018 9:43 PM
Associated Press



FILE - A coyote wanders through a neighborhood in Cedar Glen, Calif., Nov. 2, 2003, in the San Bernardino Mountains. Scientists have long known that human activity disrupts nature. And the latest research released on Thursday found fear of humans has caused many species to increase their nighttime activity by 20 percent.


NEW YORK —
Lions and tigers and bears are increasingly becoming night owls because of us, a new study says.

Scientists have long known that human activity disrupts nature. Besides becoming more vigilant and reducing time spent looking for food, many mammals may travel to remote areas or move around less to avoid contact with people.

The latest research found even activities like hiking and camping can scare animals and drive them to become more active at night.

Presence has consequences

“It suggests that animals might be playing it safe around people,” said Kaitlyn Gaynor, an ecologist at the University of California, Berkeley, who led the study. “We may think that we leave no trace when we’re just hiking in the woods, but our mere presence can have lasting consequences.”

More:
https://www.voanews.com/a/thanks-to-people-many-animals-become-nocturnal/4440088.html

[sandensea]

1. Raccoons, certainly.

When I lived in the South, you could always count on them to come sniffing around at night - but not so if they knew you were still up.

And they (usually) know!

"Thought I was asleep, didn't you!"

[Cracklin Charlie]

2. There is so much wildlife in my city yard at night anymore...

I’m afraid to even go out there.
Just this week: skunk, raccoon, the usual squirrels, a terrifying midnight owl fight, and finding my dog with some half eaten little creature. The only good one is a mockingbird who just loves to hear himself sing at night.

And I really don’t want to even think about the insect and arachnid populations.

[progressoid]

3. It's like they are evolving or something.

[longship]

4. Coyotes, raccoons are already nocturnal.

As are porcupines, and many other wild animals. Many herbivores are nocturnal. The dark suits them.