Research overview: activity rhythms and timing of hunting in cats

Cats are often described as crepuscular, most active at dawn and dusk, and this overview surveys research on how activity and hunting are scheduled in domestic and feral cats. Tracking studies show flexible rhythms that shift with prey activity, human routines, food provisioning, and competition, so that hunting peaks can fall at night or be spread across the day. It discusses how individual cats tune their timing to the availability of vulnerable prey and to avoidance of conspecifics. The topic explains the variability behind the crepuscular generalisation and its relevance to wildlife predation and to managing pet cats' outdoor access.