CCF Contributes to Landmark Global Study on Mammalian Activity Patterns

Research Summary: When the wild things are: Defining mammalian diel activity and plasticity

Research Authors: 200+ scientists – listed on the research paper here

When we think about conservation, we usually think in terms of space: home ranges, migration corridors, protected areas. But time matters just as much. When animals are active – day, night, or twilight – can determine whether they can find food, avoid danger, and thrive.

That’s why I’m proud to share that CCF contributed data to a newly published global study titled When the wild things are: Defining mammalian diel activity and plasticity, released this month in Science Advances. The study, led by researchers at the University of Rhode Island, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Colorado State University, analyzed camera trap data from around the world, including our long-term monitoring efforts here in Namibia.

This was the largest-ever analysis of mammalian activity patterns across the globe. And the results were surprising, even for those of us
in the field every day.

What the Study Looked At

• 445 mammal species
• 38 countries
• Over 8.9 million observations from camera traps
• 200+ scientists, including me, working across 134 institutions

The goal was to understand how mammals use time. Are they nocturnal? Diurnal? Do they change their habits depending on where they are or what’s happening around them?

What We Found

• Most mammals don’t stick to a single schedule. Only 39 percent of species matched the activity type (diurnal, nocturnal, etc.) commonly found in the literature. Many were active at multiple times or shifted behavior depending on conditions.
• Human presence changes animal behavior. In areas with more human activity, species like gray foxes and snowshoe hares became more nocturnal, likely to avoid us.
• Larger ranges mean more flexibility. Animals with wide home ranges, like large carnivores, were more likely to change their daily patterns based on location and context.
• Latitude matters.

Near the equator, many mammals are nocturnal. Farther from it, where days are shorter and colder, some shift to daytime activity, likely for warmth and visibility.

What It Means for Cheetahs and for Conservation

Cheetahs are often classified as daylight predators. But this study reminds us that species can adapt their schedules when faced with change: predators, people, or climate change.

For example:

• If cheetahs are forced to become more nocturnal because of human activities or in response to increasing day-time temperatures, it might change their hunting efficiency.
• Increased nocturnality might also heighten competition with other predators such as lions and spotted hyenas.

Understanding these patterns helps us plan better:

• Rangeland management that respects wildlife timing
• Conflict mitigation that anticipates when cheetahs and livestock are most at risk
• Camera trap studies that track both movement and time of activity

Looking Ahead

This study is a major step forward in our understanding of animal behavior. It shows that mammals, like humans, respond to pressure with flexibility, and that this flexibility is key to survival in a rapidly changing world.

At CCF, we’re committed to using science like this to guide conservation that works in space and in time.

If you’d like to read more:
Popular Science coverage
University of Rhode Island press release