When we picture a world inhabited by dinosaurs, we tend to think of huge sauropods grazing in the morning daylight or predators hiding in leafy, sun-dappled forests, ready to ambush their prey. But recent studies have shown that many dinosaurs were active at night, and that some were incredibly well adapted to a nocturnal life. Let’s explore some of the most interesting facts about nocturnal dinosaurs.

Evidence of nocturnal dinosaurs is fairly recent

Until recently it was largely assumed that dinosaurs were mostly active during the day. But in 2011 researchers from the University of California, Davis, measured the eye sockets and scleral rings (a bony structure within the eye) of a number of fossils. This showed them how large the pupil of the eye (which expands to let in light) could get. Comparing the results to modern species, they found that many dinosaurs were primarily active at night.

Velociraptor and microraptor hunted at night

The same researchers suggest that velociraptor, microraptor and other small theropods (meat-eating dinosaurs) were nocturnal, hunting their prey at night and resting during the day. 
 

Shuvuuia hunted using hearing alone

A small, desert-living dinosaur called shuvuuia was discovered in the 1990s and baffled scientists for some time because of its odd combination of features. Then in 2021, a study found that it had ultra-specialised hearing that was as sensitive as that of a modern barn owl. This meant it could hunt with accuracy in complete darkness, using its hearing alone. It burrowed for small mammals and insects using its strong forelimbs and chased prey down with its long, spindly legs. 
 

Some nocturnal dinosaurs had feathers

Nighttime is cooler than daytime, and a group of very small nocturnal theropods, called alvarezsaurs, had feathers to help insulate them in the colder conditions. Unlike modern reptiles, many nocturnal meat-eating dinosaurs could also generate their own body heat, which made them better adapted for hunting at night.  

Many sauropods were active day and night

Research has discovered that many sauropods - the large, plant-eating dinosaurs such as diplodocus and psittacosaurus - were active at night as well as during the day. It’s thought that, like modern elephants, they had to eat for many hours to meet their nutritional needs, and that they would have grazed in the cooler parts of the day and rested when the sun was at its hottest. 

Discover more about dinosaurs

If your family is dino-mad and you’re looking for dinosaur attractions in the UK, don’t miss Dinosaur World Live. This stunning stage show offers the perfect dinosaur experience for children aged three and up, introducing them to a host of prehistoric creatures using spectacular puppetry. Meet the tiny microraptor, the gigantic giraffatitan and the fearsome T-rex and prepare for an adventure like no other. Search ‘dinosaur event near me’ to find out if the show is playing at your local theatre, and book your tickets online today.