Circadian Rhythm - Importance in Animals

Importance in Animals

Ethology and parts of the day
Diurnality · Nocturnality · Cathemeral
Crepuscular (Matutinal · Vespertine)
Circadian rhythm · Chronotype · Solunar theory

Circadian rhythmicity is present in the sleeping and feeding patterns of animals, including human beings. There are also clear patterns of core body temperature, brain wave activity, hormone production, cell regeneration and other biological activities. In addition, photoperiodism, the physiological reaction of organisms to the length of day or night, is vital to both plants and animals, and the circadian system plays a role in the measurement and interpretation of day length.

“ Timely prediction of seasonal periods of weather conditions, food availability or predator activity is crucial for survival of many species. Although not the only parameter, the changing length of the photoperiod ('daylength') is the most predictive environmental cue for the seasonal timing of physiology and behavior, most notably for timing of migration, hibernation and reproduction. ”

Read more about this topic:  Circadian Rhythm

Famous quotes containing the words importance and/or animals:

    “We have been told over and over about the importance of bonding to our children. Rarely do we hear about the skill of letting go, or, as one parent said, “that we raise our children to leave us.” Early childhood, as our kids gain skills and eagerly want some distance from us, is a time to build a kind of adult-child balance which permits both of us room.”
    —Joan Sheingold Ditzion (20th century)

    “Only the most acute and active animals are capable of boredom.—A theme for a great poet would be God’s boredom on the seventh day of creation.”
    —Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)