Diurnal means active during the daytime and resting at night—the opposite of nocturnal. Most humans, squirrels, and birds are diurnal creatures. They wake up with the sun, go about their business during daylight hours, and sleep when it gets dark.
Examples:
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Diurnal animals: Squirrels, elephants, hawks, butterflies
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Nocturnal animals: Owls, bats, raccoons, foxes
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Crepuscular animals (bonus term!): Active during dawn and dusk—like deer and rabbits
So if you hear rustling in your attic around noon, chances are it’s a diurnal critter like a squirrel, not a midnight prowler like a raccoon.