6 Nocturnal Pets That Thrive All Night Long

What are nocturnal pets? A nocturnal pet or nocturnal animal is one that is most active during the late hours of the night. They sleep during the day, and come out when it's dark to take care of their animal business. 
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Many nocturnal pets are able to adjust well to their human's non-nocturnal tendencies, but your nocturnal pet's lifestyle should always be taken into consideration. And if you're a human with a nocturnal lifestyle (ie: insomnia) you might want to consider keeping a nocturnal pet yourself. Here's a list of 6 nocturnal pets that like to party all night long!

Rats

Of course I have to include rats on the list. Rats make great pets and are highly intelligent and social animals. The like to come out at night and do their ratty business. My own pet rats are most active at night and I can hear them chewing, squabbling, squeaking, and eating a lot night. They do still like to come out during the day too and always welcome a daytime play session. 

Hamsters

Photo via Tambako The Jaguar
Like rats, these small rodents are also nocturnal animals. Having kept several hamsters as pets in the past, I will say that Hamsters seem very groggy and cranky if you wake them up while they are trying to sleep during the day. I can't blame them because I'd feel the same way. At night, hamsters like to make nests, run on their wheels, and collect food. 

Hedgehogs

Photo via Justin Snow
The African Pygmy Hedgehog is the species commonly kept as pets. These pets are nocturnal and active most at night. When hedgehogs stayed with us overnight at the vet clinic, they almost never woke up for anything during the day while we were there working. 

Leopard Geckos

Photo via Steve Rainwater
A nocturnal lizard? Yes! Leopard Geckos sleep in a safe and hidden spot during the day and come out to play when the moon rises. This means that Leopard Geckos do not have the same lighting requirements as other reptiles that are kept as pets. Something that is generally very important for most reptiles. 

Sugar Gliders

Photo via Mike Liu
While Sugar Gliders may be most active during the late hours of the night, they are still very social pets. Sugar Gliders form very close bonds with their humans and enjoy being carried in small purse-like pouches called "bonding pouches". They will sleep comfortably in these pouches during the day while their human carries them around. Sugar Gliders have big eyes to help them see better at night. 

Cats

Some sources claim that cats are nocturnal, but truthfully they could technically be called crepuscular. Crepuscular animals are most active during twilight hours or dusk and dawn and are commonly misconceived as nocturnal. Either way, cats definitely know how to have a good time while their people are trying to get a little shut eye.