New Books Network: "Living Night: On the Secret Wonders of Wildlife After Dark"

Host: Dr. Christina Gessler
Guest: Dr. Sophia Kimig
Date: December 11, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode of Academic Life on the New Books Network, host Dr. Christina Gessler interviews Dr. Sophia Kimig, ecologist, behavioral biologist, and author of Living Night: On the Secret Wonders of Wildlife After Dark. The conversation explores the hidden world of nocturnal and crepuscular animals, their unique adaptations, the effects of light pollution on nature (and humans), and the evolutionary origins of nighttime life. Dr. Kimig brings to light how much we miss, both scientifically and personally, when we overlook the living creatures and experiences of the night.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Dr. Sophia Kimig’s Background and Scientific Curiosity

• Ecologist, behavioral and evolutionary biologist, and science communicator.
• Fascinated by what drives life on earth and animal behavior, including in urban and invasive ecological settings.
• Emphasis on making science accessible: "I really like it when people out there also know what we scientists do." (03:00)

Pathway to Nighttime Ecology

• Initial curiosity sparked during a PhD project studying urban red foxes in Berlin, which required nighttime fieldwork.
• Noted the dramatic difference between the city at night and during the day — describing it as "a parallel universe" where wildlife replaces daytime human activity.

  "Suddenly there's a raccoon sitting in the bus stop or a wild boar roaming the street... I was fascinated by that contrast." (07:01)

Nocturnal Life—More Prevalent Than We Think

• Approx. 62% of animals worldwide are nocturnal or crepuscular (active at dawn/dusk)—a surprisingly understudied majority. (08:19)
• Significant data gaps: 81% of mammals labeled “Data Deficient” on the IUCN Red List are nocturnal, pointing to bias in research.

  “That’s way too much for being coincidence... just because they happen to be active at the wrong time of the day to be studied.” (09:40)

Wonders of Nocturnal Adaptations

• Moths have an extraordinary sense of smell—they "have the best nose... and it doesn't even have a nose." (11:07)
• Opossums are misunderstood and underappreciated (often labeled "ugly," but have fascinating evolutionary mechanisms like playing dead, extreme physiological shutdown, and immunity to rabies and ticks).

  "Nature is sometimes so fascinating... evolution always finds a way." (13:48)
  "They actually increase your chances to not get infected... because they take care of the actual risk." (19:27)

Adapting to the Dark: Sensory Evolution

• Animals use different communication and survival strategies at night:
  • Less reliance on color; more on scent and sound.
  • Bats use echolocation, owls have keen night vision, plants emit scent at night to attract nocturnal pollinators.
  • The tapetum lucidum in many animals’ eyes doubles light use, causing the “eye shine” visible at night. (25:10)

Human Disconnection from the Night

• Many people have never seen the Milky Way due to urban light pollution; about a third of humanity is affected.

  "Wherever you are on the surface, you could see an awesome night sky... but millions have never seen it in their lifetime." (29:05)

• 1994 LA blackout: People called emergency services about a “strange cloud”—the Milky Way.
• Artificial light disrupts both wildlife (example: sea turtles misled by lights) and human circadian rhythms, with health consequences including poor sleep and increased disease risk. (38:17)

Fun Fact: Night Milk

• Night-milked cows produce higher melatonin; drinking this milk before bed has a stronger sleep-inducing effect—“the same calming effect as actual tranquilizer medication.” (39:59)

Evolutionary Roots: Dinosaurs and the Mammalian Night

• Many evolutionary mammalian traits (fur, steady body temperature) evolved to survive nighttime during the age of the diurnal dinosaurs; mammals were largely nocturnal for millions of years.

  "Everything began in those dark, shadowy small areas—under some giant’s feet... in the shadow of another branch of life." (49:14)

Owls: Symbols of Night and Unexpected Diplomats

• 240 species worldwide, important for natural rodent control.
• Barn owl nesting projects in Israel and Palestine reduced the use of rodenticides—uniting farmers across a conflict zone:

  "The owl brought a little bit of connection and friendship... it became an international cooperation." (51:47)

• Owls can rotate their heads up to 270 degrees without harm—their anatomy allows more vertebrae and flexible arteries than humans.
• Unique among birds, they cannot move their eyes, necessitating this adaptation. (57:22)

Significance of Darkness for Well-being

• Darkness is crucial not only for wildlife but also human health, creativity, rest, and mental balance.

  “We do not only underestimate the night’s importance for life on earth, but also for ourselves.” (58:15)

• Nighttime experiences—watching fireflies, stargazing, night walks—are sources of wonder, peace, and inspiration. (59:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On curiosity and scientific motivation:

  “I never understood how people can be outside in nature and not wonder about everything.” (03:25)

• On the city at night:

  “It’s like someone replaced the actors on a stage.” (07:01)

• On opossums:

  “Nature is sometimes so fascinating... evolution always, you know, finds a way.” (13:48)

• On light pollution and knowledge:

  “Millions of people have never seen [the Milky Way] in their lifetime because they live where there’s so much artificial light.” (29:05)

• On adaptation:

  “Darkness is like a motor of invention for new communication styles.” (25:10)

• On the wisdom of respecting the night:

  “I think that we miss out a lot if we don't take that time for ourselves, for our mental health and for our physical health. But also, we just miss so many wonders.” (59:20)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Dr. Kimig’s Introduction & Path to Science: 02:11 – 05:13
• Origin of Nocturnal Interest (Red Fox project): 05:26 – 08:19
• Scope of Nocturnal Life / Data Gaps: 08:19 – 11:02
• Moth Scent Adaptation: 11:07 – 12:24
• Opossum Evolution & Defense Mechanisms: 13:28 – 18:46
• Myths about Opossums, Disease Control: 18:46 – 20:38
• Nighttime Adaptations & Senses: 22:02 – 27:17
• Light Pollution and the Hidden Night Sky: 28:13 – 30:43
• Sea Turtles and the Importance of Natural Darkness: 30:43 – 36:41
• Human Health and Artificial Light: 36:41 – 39:27
• Fun Fact: Night-Milk for Sleep: 39:47 – 42:10
• The Evolutionary Night – Mammals and Dinosaurs: 46:33 – 50:15
• Owls as Ecological and Social Connectors: 51:11 – 56:54
• Wisdom from the Epilogue – Why the Night Matters: 58:15 – 62:53

Final Reflections

Dr. Kimig hopes that listeners gain an appreciation for the richness of the nocturnal world and feel inspired to explore nighttime nature—whether through reading, observation, or simply spending time outside after dark:

“I hope that it may inspire some people to find that excitement, joy, but also peace that nature brings to me... and bring those great emotions and experiences to their lives as well.” (62:53)

Further Reading

• Living Night: On the Secret Wonders of Wildlife After Dark by Dr. Sophia Kimig
  (Detailed explorations of nocturnal animals, evolutionary biology, and the ecological significance of darkness.)