Night Life: Wildlife After Dark

As the day comes to an end, wildlife descend! Once the sun sets, native species in Santa Clara Valley emerge from their burrows and shelters to hunt, explore and tend to their needs. Learn about the critters who are naturally more active in the evenings!

Crepuscular

Crepuscular wildlife are most active right before the sun sets (dusk), or in the early hours of the morning before the sun rises (dawn). Many animals are crepuscular because it helps them survive! During dusk and dawn, wildlife are less likely to deal with extreme heat, better able to conserve their energy and more likely to find food.

• Coyotes

Coyotes are most active during dusk or dawn, however, it’s not uncommon to spot one during the daytime! Coyotes are opportunistic omnivores which means they eat anytime, anywhere and (almost) anything that’s convenient. Some of their favorite treats include ground squirrels, mice and rabbits.

• Tule elk

Tule elk are one of two elk subspecies that are endemic, or native, to California. They also happen to be crepuscular! Like most species active during twilight, tule elk want to avoid their predators (who are typically most active during the day), conserve energy and avoid hotter temperatures. Fun fact: Herds of tule elk can occasionally be seen from the trails of Máyyan 'Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve in Morgan Hill.

• Mountain lions

Typically, mountain lions remain inactive during the day and hunt when daylight is limited to improve their chances of ambushing prey. But it’s possible for mountain lions to become nocturnal if their habitat is impacted by human activity. A 2024 study from UC Davis, Cal Poly Pamona and the National Park Service showed that mountain lions living in Los Angeles purposely became nocturnal to avoid hikers, bikers and other outdoor enthusiasts.

• Bobcats

Research shows that bobcats are most active during dusk and dawn making them another native crepuscular species of Santa Clara Valley! Much like mountain lions, bobcats can adjust their schedules to become more nocturnal if they don’t find enough food during the dawn and dusk hours. During the day, bobcats tend to rest in dens which are typically found in the form of caves, hollow logs and tight spaces under brush or between large rocks.

Nocturnal

In contrast with crepuscular wildlife, nocturnal animals sleep during the day and are primarily active at night. These species enjoy the dark and have special adaptations that help them thrive without sunlight.

• American badgers

American badgers are a bit of a mystery! Not only do they like living by themselves, but they also wait until it’s dark to climb out of their burrows and hunt for food. Very rarely, female American badgers exit their burrows during the day to hunt, allowing them to spend time with their young offspring at night.

• Bats

Bats are likely one of the most notorious nocturnal animals! As the only mammals that can fly, bats are most active at night when they dash out of their shelters in search of food. Pallid bats, which are native to the Santa Clara Valley, divide their nights into three parts: foraging, resting and more foraging. During cooler seasons, pallid bats may decrease the amount of time spent foraging and will dedicate more time during the night to rest.

• Tarantulas

During the day, tarantulas are likely hiding deep within their burrows to stay cool and avoid predators like lizards, birds and the tarantula hawk. They also use the daytime to enter deep states of rest, which helps the tarantula regain energy for its nighttime activity. At night, tarantulas crawl out of their burrows in search of prey, including insects, frogs and mice. While often perceived as scary creatures, tarantulas are actually quite timid and harmless unless severely bothered by humans.

Whether crepuscular or nocturnal, Santa Clara Valley wildlife use the evening hours to primarily stay active, roam open space and find food! Learn more about these species and other native wildlife to Santa Clara Valley by visiting our Environmental Education Hub.