Sunrise and sunset are particularly rewarding times for animal observation in Grand Teton National Park, which is why we offer half-day sunrise and sunset tours. Many of the park’s iconic animals, such as moose, elk, deer, bears, coyotes, and foxes, exhibit what is called crepuscular behavior. Crepuscular behavior refers to the heightened activity of animals during twilight hours.
Several factors drive this increased activity:
- Temperature regulation: During the heat of the day, animals often seek shade to conserve energy. As temperatures cool in the early morning and late evening, they become more active for foraging and other essential behaviors.
- Reduced predation: For some prey animals, twilight offers a period of lower visibility for predators that primarily hunt during full daylight. Conversely, some predators also take advantage of the dim light for hunting.
- Foraging opportunities: Many animals’ food sources may also be more available during this time. For example, some insects are active at dawn and dusk, attracting insectivores like bats, snakes, frogs, fish, and birds.
Visibility and lighting
- The sun’s low angle during sunrise and sunset casts long shadows and creates a softer, more diffused light. This can make it easier to spot animals as they move through the landscape, rather than being lost in harsh midday light.
- The warm hues of sunrise and sunset can also enhance the beauty of the landscape, making wildlife sightings even more visually stunning…especially for those interested in taking photos.
- The environment tends to be quieter before the park gets busy with daytime visitors and afternoon winds pick up. This can make hearing and observing wildlife easier without the background of human activity.
Specific behaviors
- Bedding: Animals often move from their nighttime resting spots to feeding areas in the early morning and return to bed down as dusk approaches, making these transition periods prime for observation.
- Feeding: After a night of rest, animals are often hungry and actively foraging in the early morning.
- Watering: In the late afternoon and early evening, after a long, hot day, animals may come to rivers, lakes, and streams to rehydrate.
June is an especially amazing time in the park as new babies move about, bears forage after long hibernations, and newly arrived birds sing their songs. Pairing June with a dawn or dusk Wildlife Expeditions trip greatly increases your chances of memorable wildlife encounters. Book today: tetonscience.org/wildlife-expeditions
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