Autorentext

Sophia Kimmig researches how wild animals adapt to changing habitat conditions at an institute of the Leibniz Society in Berlin. Her previous book, On Foxes and People, was a Spiegel bestseller. In lectures, journalism, and books, she pursues her goal of bringing people closer to the diversity and value of nature and creating acceptance for nature and species protection. She lives in Berlin.

Klappentext

When the sun sets, things start to get interesting among wild animals. Wherever we live, whether in the city or suburbs or country, darkness conjures a hidden world of wildlife that most of us rarely glimpse. Foxes, wolves, and bears prowl while skunks, opossums, and porcupines lurk; fireflies send flashing signals to potential mates; raccoons rummage for food; owls and bats fly overhead.

Wildlife biologist Sophia Kimmig is our guide to the startling behaviors of these and many more nocturnal creatures. Introducing us to night's wild inhabitants, she reveals what life for them is like in this parallel world-how it looks, feels, and smells-and the ingenious ways some creatures thrive after sunset. Living Nighthelps us appreciate how essential darkness is: not just a time but a diverse habitat all to itself-one that we still know too little about, and that we must urgently protect for the benefit of the world's flora and fauna that depend on the day-night cycle.

Inhalt

Prologue: Night in the City

Chapter 1: The Dark Side of the Day

Of Subjective Realities

The Other World

A Life in the Dark

Fun Fact | Shining Eyes

Chapter 2: Dwellers of the Night - DORMICE

Of Mafiosi and Sleepers

Secret Neighbors

Fun Fact | Adhesive feet

Chapter 3: Why animals are nocturnal and what dinosaurs have to do with it

From shadowy existence to triumphant march

Excuse me, is there still room for me somewhere?

Fun Fact | Artistic Freedom

Chapter 4: Dwellers of the Night - OWLS

Silent Hunters

Two Weird Birds

Fun Fact | 270 degrees

Chapter 5: Only where there is light, there are shadows

When organisms bring light into the dark

Fun Fact | Obligatory or optional?

Chapter 6: Inhabitants of the night - BATS

Vampire or cotton ball

Delicate but tough

Fun Fact | Dark wings

Man under the spell of darkness

The night is dark and full of terror

Nocturnal cultural assets

Fun Fact | Fifty shades of gray

Chapter 7: Dwellers of the night - RACCOONS

Sensitive survival artist

The tank busters among the animals

Fun Fact | The Guild

Chapter 8: The Loss of Night

The Dark Side of Light

The Meaning of Darkness

Fun Fact | From sleepy cows to relaxed mice

Chapter 9: Inhabitants of the night - NIGHT FEEDING

Brown bear and copper mother hen - the world of night owls

Sensual

Fun Fact | Nemo's Anemone

Epilogue

Acknowledgments

Notes, selected references, and bibliography

Index