After centuries of animal captivity, poaching, and urban expansion, animals are now actively trying to avoid our presence by becoming more nocturnal. With flashing lights, harsh noises and urbanization we have become master destroyers of their natural habitats, leaving them vulnerable and homeless.
A new study published in Science looked at the behavior of 62 mammal species across six continents and discovered that 83% of these species are becoming increasingly more active after dark.
Lead author Kaitlyn Gaynor explains that “human activity is creating a more nocturnal natural world” and adds that the trend is both “powerful and striking.”
Gaynor goes as far as to compare us to the dinosaurs, explaining that “mammals were active entirely at night because dinosaurs were the ubiquitous terrifying force on the planet” but now “humans are the ubiquitous terrifying force on the planet.”
Even the fiercest animals, such as coyotes and tigers, are becoming more nocturnal just to avoid the threat of Homo sapiens.
There are a plethora of reasons why animals want to avoid us; the most obvious being our incessant need to harm, capture and even cull them. The government in Colorado is spending 4.5 million dollars to kill black bears and mountain lions on a mere whim that this may increase numbers of deer, purely so they can continue to hunt the deer. All this time and money is spent not on conserving their habitats, but on killing and killing alone.
We cull species of animals when their impact on the environment is not suitable to us. For example, one beaver is killed every 22 minutes because of “destructive” behaviors like building dams — despite the fact that we humans are far more destructive to the environment than them.
As a species ourselves, we are violent and ruthless. Animals of prey, such as the antelopes in Zimbabwe, would rather take their chances venturing to waterholes at night with lions, hyenas and other predators than take the trip during the day and run the risk of coming into contact with trophy hunters. We poach rhinos to extinction, put elephants into captivity and split orangutans from their mothers. Meanwhile, we tear down forests and live unsustainably thinking of only of ourselves.
Not only are we a violent species, we are a noisy one, too. The amount of sound we produce from traffic has detrimental effects of the wildlife we share the land with. The unrelenting droning from cars and airplanes deafens South African dwarf mongooses to the sound of approaching predators. Meanwhile, the 24/7 noise produced by oil and gas operations such as fracking and drilling scare away grasshoppers, crickets and other insects, which massively affects the ecosystem. Even underwater species of animals can’t escape the loudness of the human race. From generators to sea craft engines and propellers, there is little peace and quiet even in the deep blue, and whales have been known to become deafened by the ongoing noise.
So, could this distance between animals and humans divided by day and night be a good thing? Gaynor speculates that “It’s a way to share space on an increasingly crowded planet…We take the day and they take the night.”
While animals becoming more nocturnal may give them distance from dangerous human activity, “not all animals are willing or able to just switch to a nocturnal lifestyle around people” reminds Gaynor. After all the irreversible damage we have committed to the environment, it would be purely selfish and lazy to expect the very species we have endangered to change their survival strategies to fit our needs.

La verdad que dad asco la humanidad no se tiene un afan de dinero y de cazar y matar y pensar que ricos pobres y no tan pobres valos a terminar en el misno lado en un hoyo bajo tierra sin importar quien tiene mas
We humans need to respect wildlife, so the animals will feel safe to come out also in the daytime. To force animals in night living is not good, if they are meant to be active during the day. This will effect evolution, and trust and respect between animals and people.
The article is true and I would just know that humans will change their habits and hunt and kill at night. There are killlers at night. I wish this article wasn’t out here for everyone to read. I realize that is crazy to think humans wouldn’t find out and start planning on their next destruction of animals or our planet.
Unfortunately my dear animal kingdom…. People r more dangerous in the night. So refrain in the night and better safe in the day. At least good people can rescue
I can’t even read the stories anymore because i’m getting so depressed by it.
I’ll just sign.
We are killing our own planet. When will we take notice?
This article is so true! I am ashamed to say it but as a species we are barbaric killers. We want to control everything on our planet no matter what the cost. Imagine a species which kills there own environment . ……..
Thank goodness some of us are changing our ways and encouraging others to see we cannot continue down this road of self destruction . Life is a gift for all living creatures.
m
If not for my day job, I’d consider doing the same 🙂
Humans are the worst things in the world. Poor animals. Why do humans think they have the right?
Genesis 9:3 I have given them to you for food, just as I have given you grain and vegetables.
Even animals eat only when they r hungry. They don’t kill for pleasure. Human beings torture and kill for pleasure. Animals r much better than people. We humans created religion to cover our mistakes. They r not food. They r there living and contributing to earth. We don’t contribute a thing to our eart
So you are saying Jesus died in vain?
Because he came to restore the Edenic state Gen 1:29
“Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.”
Jesus said:
“I have come to abolish the sacrifices, and if you cease not from sacrificing, my wrath will not cease from you.” (Panarion 30.16.5)
Even many Rabbis believe that the4 forbidden fruit in the garden of eden was actually meat.
Another religious fanatic
Very smart!! I’m thinking of doing the same thing!
People are the worst breed God bless animals
Interesting…What do you think ?
Yes, humans will be the death of this planet.
As spoken on the Cult Movie “Matrix” One of the Cyborg controllers get hold of the Human in their crosshairs and interrogates him. While in this exchange he make a striking symularity to humans and viruses… ” He wipes his finger across the scull of his captive and says ” You Humans are the problem here.. your a virus that can’t be stopped””You invade an area use it up and when your done you move onto the next area to consume it to its destruction” You go on till there is nothing left of your host planet!!” You act just like a virus to this planet and need to be controlled”… he gets away, but the agent Smiths point is made very well and sticks with the viewer who can empathize with the destruction we humans do.. Do to the world…. Sad at best v
I think you are right Barry…I wish I didn’t…Can’t we do something together
to change this ???
This article breaks my heart and upsets me so very much knowing how cruel and cold hearted so many people are to animals and it is only getting worse. Wish that more could be done to get support to stop the abuse.
I agree with you, Gail. Humans are greedy and selfish. As Barry J. Goian Esq. quoted above ”You invade an area use it up and when your done you move onto the next area to consume it to its destruction.” The settling and expansion of USA by Europeans is a prime (embarrassing) example of this. Come to the New World to exploit the resources and the Native Americans, plunder everything in your path and “Go West, young man” when you have exhausted everything in the east.
I have a high school acquaintance who, in his early sixties, is a metaphor for many Americans. He purchased his dream retirement home on 5 acres out in the wilderness of Wyoming to get away from people whom he despises. He wants to be out in the pristine countryside, yet his passion is to go out on his ATV and raise cain out in the very countryside that he claims needs to remain pristine.
I cringe at this self absorbed attitude. While it is not hunting and killing, it is not helpful either.