General discussion on nocturnal animals

[glasgowanimal]

Hi

I was wondering about stories people have on nocturnal animals kept in UK zoos which are NOT in Nocturnal exhibits ie. artificial lighting/darkening is not used.

In particular to how the animals have adapted to their enclosures?
Are they visible during the day?
Only at feed time?
Weather dependant?

My experience at Edinburgh Zoo shows particular traits...

Wolverine - early morning, late afternoon, the odd scatter feed (around 12pm), more active in winter, damp days

Binturong (when on show) - early morning, late afternoon, damp cloudy days

Koala - random hour during the day, can be very active during this period while feeding

Ratel (before he left earlier this month!) - constantly running about enclosure, disappearing inside for about 2.5 minutes then running about again!!! go Tyson....

Skunk - late afternoon, very rarely seen

 

[Zambar]

Marwell's doroucoullis are kept in an outdoor enclosure like the other callitchrids. Whilst they very rarely come outside in the day, you can nearly always see them inside, where they are awake or asleep roughly 50/50.

 

[Chlidonias]

Hi

I was wondering about stories people have on nocturnal animals kept in UK zoos which are NOT in Nocturnal exhibits ie. artificial lighting/darkening is not used.

In particular to how the animals have adapted to their enclosures?
Are they visible during the day?
Only at feed time?
Weather dependant?

My experience at Edinburgh Zoo shows particular traits...

Wolverine - early morning, late afternoon, the odd scatter feed (around 12pm), more active in winter, damp days

Binturong (when on show) - early morning, late afternoon, damp cloudy days

Koala - random hour during the day, can be very active during this period while feeding

Ratel (before he left earlier this month!) - constantly running about enclosure, disappearing inside for about 2.5 minutes then running about again!!! go Tyson....

Skunk - late afternoon, very rarely seen

of those animals only the binturong is actually nocturnal. Koalas are rarely particularly active at any time, and the others are more cathemeral than nocturnal. Wolverines, ratels and skunks may be active both night and day.

In answer to the specific question as to how nocturnal animals respond to captivity, few species will radically change their natural cycle. In general, strictly nocturnal species (eg, kiwi) will not become diurnal so they will rarely or never be seen, and crepuscular species will be potentially visible early mornings and very late afternoon but not in the main part of the day. There are exceptions, for example Tasmanian devils are for the most part very strongly nocturnal in the wild but are often very active and visible during the day in captivity.

 

[Cat-Man]

Marwell's doroucoullis are kept in an outdoor enclosure like the other callitchrids. Whilst they very rarely come outside in the day, you can nearly always see them inside, where they are awake or asleep roughly 50/50.

where are they???

 

[Zambar]

In the caged enclosure behind the mongoose and between the fossas and Life in the Trees.