Share this article
Mammals adapt to nightlife to avoid humans
Mammals are becoming more active during the night, researchers found. The reason? Humans. A study published in Science found that settlement, hunting or recreational activity have caused animal activity during the night to increase by more than one-third. While researchers don’t yet know the consequences, they suspect this pattern has been going on for a while. Only now have they been able to document it using techniques like camera traps and remote sensing to “spy” on animals.
Header Image: A remote camera captures a mountain lion and her kitten sharing a mule deer kill at night in Malibu Creek State Park. Researchers found humans have increased nighttime activity for mammals. ©National Park Service
Related Posts
Q&A: TEK and the wildlife profession
Tracing a trajectory from “elitism” to “equity”
History may point to a brighter future for Canada lynx
Areas the predator once roamed may be able to support them again
New maps expand picture of big-game migrations in the West
The maps document 33 mule deer, pronghorn and elk routes