Cats are not nocturnal; they are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk rather than throughout the night. They sleep a lot during the day and take multiple naps, which leads to bursts of activity in the early morning and evening hours. This behavior evolved because their prey, such as birds and mice, are also active at these times, and it helps cats avoid larger predators that hunt during the day or night. Therefore, while cats may exhibit activity at night, especially around dawn or dusk, they do not fit the strict definition of nocturnal animals, which are primarily active during the night and sleep during the day.
