Duskdwelling

Duskdwelling is a term used in ecology and ethology to describe organisms, populations, or communities whose activity is concentrated during crepuscular hours—dawn and dusk—when light levels are low but not completely dark. It denotes a temporal niche distinct from diurnal (daytime) and nocturnal (nighttime) activity patterns and is often influenced by factors such as temperature, predation risk, and resource availability.

The concept encompasses a range of behaviors and adaptations that favor twilight conditions. Dusk-dwelling species may rely on heightened senses other than vision, such as acute hearing or olfaction, and may exhibit peak foraging, mating, or movement at crepuscular light levels. Vision in dusk-dwellers is often adapted to low light, with a rod-dominated retina or complementary sensory tools, while some insects and mammals employ echolocation or tactile cues to navigate in dim conditions. Temporal niche shifts can occur in response to environmental changes, including habitat structure and human disturbance.

Examples of dusk-dwelling patterns are common across taxa. White-tailed deer are frequently described as crepuscular, and many insects, such as certain moths and dragonflies, emerge around twilight. Some shorebirds and other birds exploit dusk for foraging, and many bats show activity peaks at dusk as they begin nocturnal foraging. Edges of habitats, such as forest clearings, wetlands, and coastal zones, often host diverse dusk-dwelling assemblages due to resource and light conditions.

Conservation and research considerations include the effects of light pollution and urban development, which can disrupt natural twilight activity. Researchers study duskdwelling through camera traps, acoustic monitoring, and tagging to understand temporal use of space and resources.