Wildlife Words - nocturnal

Our first Wildlife Word was diurnal, and our next word is its ‘opposite’…

nocturnal

Pronunciation:\näk-ˈtər-n^əl\

Function:adjective

Etymology:Middle English, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French nocturnel, from Late Latin nocturnalis, from Latin nocturnus of night, nocturnal, from noct-, nox night

Date:15th century

1 : of, relating to, or occurring in the night <a nocturnal journey>

2 : active at night <a nocturnal predator>

(Source: Merriam-Webster)

A nocturnal animal is active during the night and rests during the day.