Why do foxes need darkness? Foxes are crepuscular and nocturnal animals. This means they are primarily active in the early morning hours, at dusk, and during the night. They feel safe in the dark and can hunt undisturbed. Their sharp senses, excellent hearing, and keen sense of smell are perfectly adapted to nighttime conditions.

Hedgehog are nocturnal animals. They roam their territories after dark in search of food or shelter. They often travel several kilometers in one night. Artificially lit gardens and parks disturb hedgehogs while they search for food. In addition, day- and night-active robotic lawnmowers can cause serious injuries.
The hedgehog…

Heat-loving flying acrobat. Huge, almost body-length ears, which are connected to a fold of skin over the forehead, and large, lively eyes characterize the face of the Brown Long-eared Bat (Plecotus sylvatica).
However, with their large ears and short, broad wings, which ensure flight stability, they are true flying artists: their hovering flight allows them to fly on a…

The European tree frog (Hyla arborea) is familiar to most people from fairy tales or as a weather frog. However, very few have actually seen one in nature. Why is that? Because of its lifestyle. It is a good climber and prefers to live in bushes or trees, perfectly camouflaged by its green color.

Anyone who wants to experience the concert of tree frogs…

A true master of camouflage , that's the nocturnal European nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus), also known as the European nightjar. It is so well camouflaged that it is almost impossible to spot, even during the day.

The nightjar prefers heathland and open forests. As a ground-nesting bird, it needs open areas of ground. Its plumage, which is reminiscent of leaves and tree bark, helps to dig the nest…

The mollusc of the year 2005 , and predominantly active at night, the tiger slug can only rarely reach a considerable size of up to 20 cm.

With their striking markings, they are unmistakable. However, weakly marked animals, also known as the large slug, can be confused with the equally nocturnal black slug, as it sometimes...

Exceptionally maternal . There are about 1000 species of spiders in Germany. Wolf spiders form their own family among these species. The common night wolf (Trochosa terricola) likely gets its name from its hunting method, as it doesn't spin webs but hunts by sight. Its prey includes insects such as ground beetles, grasshoppers, and fly larvae, but also other insects…

Passionate glow. Actually, fireflies are not worms at all, but beetles. The different species form their own family within the order of beetles, the fireflies.
We call them glowworms or glowworms because the female resembles a worm and because of their special “light cells” on the belly of the…

The birch tooth tensioner (Pheosia gnoma) is a moth from the family of the tooth moths (Notodontidae)It is strongly dependent on the presence of birch trees, where its caterpillars prefer to develop - but they can also occasionally be found on poplars.
In the acidic forests of the Dingden Heath, where the birch is widespread, this takes place…

Attractive moth. The delicately drawn Agate Owl Moth (Habrosyne pyritoides), can be regarded as a typical species of blackberry bushes and forest edges within the Dingden Heath.
Its front wings are impressively beautiful and have a pattern similar to that of the semi-precious stone. The coloring of its hind wings is more grey-brown and lighter in the middle. Span…

Bright green beautyFormerly known as the Oak Barbet, this beautiful butterfly represents the oak-dominated forests in the Büngener/Dingdener Heide area like no other.
In Europe, the butterflies reach a wingspan of 17 to 23 millimetres and have a medium to strong body. Their front wings are broad and only reach 1,5…

Beneficiaries of introduced plants and a wonderfully colourful moth is the Middle Vine Hawk-moth (Deilephila elpenor)When darkness falls, it flutters from flower to flower, just as hummingbird hawk-moths do during the day.
It can be seen flying from mid-May to around the beginning of July. It prefers wetter areas where willowherb grows...

Dazzlingly elegant. The Small Peacock Butterfly (Saturnia pavonia) can be considered a typical species of Calluna-Heiden although it can also be found in other habitat types. The short-lived butterflies, they only live for a few days, are mainly active during the day and the males can be seen flying from the beginning of April. The lazy-flying females remain in the air after the …

Perfect camouflage . The pine beauty moth (Panolis flammea) , also known as the pine beauty moth, is a rather small moth with a wingspan of 30-40 mm. The coloration of the moth's forewings is relatively colorful and contrasting, including cinnamon-red, yellowish-brown, and grayish-brown elements. The characteristic white spots are particularly striking. [De…]

The Eurasian eagle-owl is the largest owl species in Europe and an impressive nocturnal animal. During the day, it usually rests well hidden in rocks, forests, or other sheltered areas. It only becomes active at dusk and begins its search for food.

Thanks to its large eyes, the eagle owl can see very well even in low light.

Silent hunter. The calls of the tawny owl (Strix aluco) sound dark and eerie, and are often used as background music for nighttime scenes in crime dramas. Tawny owls use these calls to mark their territory, and they are most often heard in autumn and late winter. These silent hunters are well camouflaged, with a greyish-brown or reddish-brown base color for their plumage. The large…

Grills – The Musicians of the Night

As dusk falls and the day slowly winds down, crickets become most active. These small insects are among the best-known nocturnal animals in our local landscapes and are particularly famous for their characteristic chirping. On warm summer evenings, their chirping fills meadows, forest edges, and natural gardens…