"Meadowsweet (""Filipendula ulmaria""), Cuckoo flower (""Cardamine pratensis"") and Common fleabane (""Pulicaria dysenterica""). Over two hundred species of flora have been recorded on the Somerset Wildlife Trust reserve, fourteen of which are classified 'notable species' in Somerset, and six of which are orchids. Badgers (""Meles meles"") and Roe deer (""Capreolus capreolus"") frequent the reserve and it is probable that Otters (""Lutra lutra"") use the river corridor. The site was purchased by the trust following grant assistance from South Somerset Council. Babcary Meadows Babcary Meadows () is a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest north of Babcary in Somerset, notified in 1988."
"Night monkey The night monkeys, also known as the owl monkeys or douroucoulis, are the members of the genus Aotus of New World monkeys (monotypic in family Aotidae). The only nocturnal monkeys, they are native to Panama and much of tropical South America. Night monkeys constitute one of the few monkey species that are affected by the often deadly human malaria protozoan ""Plasmodium falciparum"", making them useful as non-human primate experimental subjects in malaria research. Until 1983, all night monkeys were placed into only one (""A. lemurimus"") or two species (""A. lemurinus"" and ""A. azarae""). Chromosome variability showed that there"
"and eaten. Mediterranean house gecko The Mediterranean house gecko (""Hemidactylus turcicus"") (not to be confused with the Asian species ""Hemidactylus frenatus"" known as common house gecko) is a small gecko common to the Mediterranean which has spread to many parts of the world. It is commonly referred to as the Turkish gecko as represented in its Latin name and also as the ""Moon Lizard"" because it emerges in the evening. A study in Portugal found ""H. turcicus"" to be totally nocturnal, with the highest activity peak around 2am. They are insectivorous, rarely exceeding in length, have large, lidless eyes with"
"Mediterranean house gecko The Mediterranean house gecko (""Hemidactylus turcicus"") (not to be confused with the Asian species ""Hemidactylus frenatus"" known as common house gecko) is a small gecko common to the Mediterranean which has spread to many parts of the world. It is commonly referred to as the Turkish gecko as represented in its Latin name and also as the ""Moon Lizard"" because it emerges in the evening. A study in Portugal found ""H. turcicus"" to be totally nocturnal, with the highest activity peak around 2am. They are insectivorous, rarely exceeding in length, have large, lidless eyes with elliptical pupils,"
"Gray-bellied night monkey The gray-bellied night monkey (""Aotus lemurinus""), also called the grey-legged douroucouli or lemurine owl monkey, is a small New World monkey of the family Aotidae. Native to tropical and subtropical forests of South America, the gray-bellied night monkey faces a significant threat from hunting, harvesting for use in pharmaceutical research and habitat destruction. There have been up to four subspecies of the gray-bellied night monkey. All but the nominate subspecies have been elevated to full species rank. The three species formally considered subspecies are: Additionally, Hershkovitz's night monkey ""Aotus hershkovitzi"" is now considered to be a junior"
"which have been known as ""lemurs"" ever since. The name derives from the Latin term ""lemures"", which refers to the ""spirits of the dead"" from Roman mythology. According to Linnaeus' own explanation, the name was selected because of the nocturnal activity and slow movements of the slender loris. Being familiar with the works of Virgil and Ovid and seeing an analogy that fit with his naming scheme, Linnaeus adapted the term ""lemur"" for these nocturnal primates. However, it has been commonly and falsely assumed that Linnaeus was referring to the ghost-like appearance, reflective eyes, and ghostly cries of lemurs. It"
"active at night. They are sometimes said to lack a tapetum lucidum, the reflective layer behind the retina possessed by many nocturnal animals. Other sources say they have a tapetum lucidum composed of collagen fibrils. At any rate, night monkeys lack the tapetum lucidum composed of riboflavin crystals possessed by lemurs and other strepsirrhines, which is an indication that their nocturnalitiy is a secondary adaption evolved from ancestral diurnal primates. Their ears are rather difficult to see; this is why their genus name, ""Aotus"" (meaning ""earless"") was chosen. There is little data on the weights of wild night monkeys. From"
"""Loris tardigradus""), ""Lemur catta"" (the ring-tailed lemur), and ""Lemur volans"" (the Philippine colugo, now known as ""Cynocephalus volans""). Although the term ""lemur"" was first intended for slender lorises, it was soon limited to the endemic Malagasy primates, which have been known as ""lemurs"" ever since. The name derives from the Latin term ""lemures"", which refers to specters or ghosts that were exorcised during the Lemuria festival of ancient Rome. According to Linnaeus' own explanation, the name was selected because of the nocturnal activity and slow movements of the slender loris. Being familiar with the works of Virgil and Ovid and"
"gave the name ""Cerberus"" to a genus of Asian snakes, which are commonly called ""dog-faced water snakes"" in English. Cerberus In Greek mythology, Cerberus (; ""Kerberos"" ), often called the ""hound of Hades"", is a multi-headed dog that guards the gates of the Underworld to prevent the dead from leaving. Cerberus was the offspring of the monsters Echidna and Typhon, and usually is described as having three heads, a serpent for a tail, and snakes protruding from parts of his body. Cerberus is primarily known for his capture by Heracles, one of Heracles' twelve labours. Descriptions of Cerberus vary, including"
"Red-necked nightjar The red-necked nightjar (""Caprimulgus ruficollis"") is the largest of the nightjars occurring in Europe. It breeds in Iberia and north Africa, and winters in tropical west Africa. ""Caprimulgus"" is derived from the Latin ""capra"", ""nanny goat"", and ""mulgere"", ""to milk"", referring to an old myth that nightjars suck milk from goats. The specific ""ruficollis"" is from Latin ""rufus"", ""red"", and ""collum"", ""neck"". The common name ""nightjar"", first recorded in 1630, refers to the nocturnal habits of the bird, the second part of the name deriving from the distinctive churring song. There are two subspecies: nominate ""ruficollis"", breeding in"
"Azara's night monkey Azara's night monkey (""Aotus azarae""), also known as the southern night monkey, is a night monkey species from South America. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Peru and Paraguay. The species is monogamous, with the males providing a large amount of parental care. It is named after Spanish naturalist Félix de Azara. Although primarily nocturnal, some populations of Azara's night monkey are unique among night monkeys in being active both day and night. The species is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. There are three subspecies of Azara's night monkey. Due to a"
"and sometimes females, often have white markings in the wing or tail. Within the genus, the European nightjar forms a superspecies with the rufous-cheeked nightjar and the sombre nightjar, African species with similar songs. It is replaced further east in Asia by the jungle nightjar which occupies similar habitat. The European nightjar was described by Linnaeus in his ""Systema naturae"" in 1758 under its current scientific name. ""Caprimulgus"" is derived from the Latin ""capra"", ""nanny goat"", and ""mulgere"", ""to milk"", referring to an old myth that nightjars suck milk from goats, and the species name, ""europaeus"" is Latin for ""European""."
"Caprimulgus Caprimulgus is a large and very widespread genus of nightjars, medium-sized nocturnal birds with long pointed wings, short legs and short bills. ""Caprimulgus"" is derived from the Latin ""capra"", ""nanny goat"", and ""mulgere"", ""to milk"", referring to an old myth that nightjars suck milk from goats. The common name ""nightjar"", first recorded in 1630, refers to the nocturnal habits of the bird, the second part of the name deriving from the distinctive churring song. ""Caprimulgus"" nightjars are found around the world, and like other nightjars they usually nest on the ground. They are mostly active in the late evening"
"Felis (constellation) Felis (Latin for ""cat"") was a constellation created by French astronomer Jérôme Lalande in 1799. He chose the name partly because, as a cat lover, he felt sorry that there was not yet a cat among the constellations (although there are two lions and a lynx). It was between the constellations of Antlia and Hydra. This constellation was first depicted in the ""Uranographia sive Astrorum Descriptio"" (1801) of Johann Elert Bode. It is now obsolete. Its brightest star, HD 85951, was named ""Felis"" by the International Astronomical Union on 1 June 2018 and it is now so included"
"Common nightingale The common nightingale or simply nightingale (""Luscinia megarhynchos""), also known as rufous nightingale, is a small passerine bird best known for its powerful and beautiful song. It was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher, Muscicapidae. It belongs to a group of more terrestrial species, often called chats. ""Nightingale"" is derived from ""night"", and the Old English ""galan"", ""to sing"". The genus name ""Luscinia"" is Latin for ""nightingale"" and ""megarhynchos"" is from Ancient Greek ""megas"", ""great"" and ""rhunkhos"" ""bill"". The common nightingale is"
"star in one of their commercials. Beta Canis Majoris Beta Canis Majoris (β Canis Majoris, abbreviated Beta CMa, β CMa), also named Mirzam, is a star in the southern constellation of Canis Major, the ""Great Dog"", located at a distance of about 500 light-years (150 parsecs) from the Sun. In the modern constellation it lies at the position of the dog's front leg. ""Beta Canis Majoris"" is the star's Bayer designation. The traditional names ""Mirzam"", ""Al-Murzim"" or ""Murzim"", derive from the Arabic (مرزم) for 'The Herald', and probably refers to its position, heralding (i.e., rising before) Sirius in the night"
"nocturnal, simply to avoid social interaction. Mara (mammal) The maras (""Dolichotis"") are a genus of the cavy family of rodents. They are the sole extant representatives of the subfamily Dolichotinae. These large relatives of guinea pigs are common in the Patagonian steppes of Argentina, but also live in Paraguay and elsewhere in South America. Maras are the fourth-largest rodent in the world, after capybaras, beavers, and porcupines, reaching about in height. Two species of maras are recognised, the Patagonian mara (""Dolichotis patagonum""), and the Chacoan mara (""Dolichotis salinicola""). ""Dolichotis"" means ‘long-earred’ (from ‘long’ + ‘ear’) in Ancient Greek. Maras have"
"Cerberus In Greek mythology, Cerberus (; ""Kerberos"" ), often called the ""hound of Hades"", is a multi-headed dog that guards the gates of the Underworld to prevent the dead from leaving. Cerberus was the offspring of the monsters Echidna and Typhon, and usually is described as having three heads, a serpent for a tail, and snakes protruding from parts of his body. Cerberus is primarily known for his capture by Heracles, one of Heracles' twelve labours. Descriptions of Cerberus vary, including the number of his heads. Cerberus was usually three-headed, though not always. Cerberus had several multi-headed relatives. His father"
"synonym for ""A. lemurinus"". Like other members of their genus, this species is nocturnal; its small, round head is striped with black and is dominated by two large, brown eyes. The overall effect is not unlike an owl; the monkey's eyes shine a reddish orange by reflected light. Its white eyebrows are bushy, with a patch of darker fur between them. Its grey fur is described as dense and woolly, with the animal's underside being yellow to orange in colour. Its brownish black to orange tail is not prehensile and invariably tipped with black. The gray-bellied night monkey has slender"
"Three-striped night monkey The three-striped night monkey (""Aotus trivirgatus""), also known as northern night monkey or northern owl monkey, is one of several species of owl monkeys currently recognised. It is found in Venezuela and north-central Brazil. Until 1983, all the owl monkeys were regarded as subspecies of ""Aotus trivirgatus"", and all were referred to as douroucoulis. The use of the name douroucouli exclusively for the three-striped night monkey is not universally accepted; some authors use it for the entire genus, or for the grey-necked group of species within it (to which ""A. trivirgatus"" belongs). Like other owl monkeys, the"
"Peruvian night monkey The Peruvian night monkey (""Aotus miconax""), also known as the Andean night monkey, is a nocturnal New World monkey endemic to northern Peru. Adults weigh around and measure up to in length. Its colour is grey to light brown with characteristic black and white markings on the face. The chest, belly and upper arms are orange tinged, however, to a lesser extent then ""Aotus nigriceps"". The species is one of the least known and possibly rarest Neotropical primates. This species is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN and endangered under Peruvian Law. The Peruvian night monkey is"
"Common house gecko The common house gecko (""Hemidactylus frenatus"") (not to be confused with the Mediterranean species ""Hemidactylus turcicus"" known as Mediterranean house gecko), is a reptile native of Southeast Asia. It is also known as the Pacific house gecko, the Asian house gecko, house lizard, or Moon Lizard. Most geckos are nocturnal, hiding during the day and foraging for insects at night. They can be seen climbing walls of houses and other buildings in search of insects attracted to porch lights, hence their name ""house gecko"". Spread around the world by ships, these geckos are now common in the"
"in the List of IAU-approved Star Names. Felis (constellation) Felis (Latin for ""cat"") was a constellation created by French astronomer Jérôme Lalande in 1799. He chose the name partly because, as a cat lover, he felt sorry that there was not yet a cat among the constellations (although there are two lions and a lynx). It was between the constellations of Antlia and Hydra. This constellation was first depicted in the ""Uranographia sive Astrorum Descriptio"" (1801) of Johann Elert Bode. It is now obsolete. Its brightest star, HD 85951, was named ""Felis"" by the International Astronomical Union on 1 June"
"for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of ""least concern"". Montane nightjar The montane nightjar, mountain nightjar or Abyssinian nightjar (""Caprimulgus poliocephalus"") is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is native to upland regions of Central and Eastern Africa where it is a locally common species. The Montane nightjar was originally described by the German naturalist Eduard Rüppell in 1840. He used the current binomial name ""Caprimulgus poliocephalus"". There are four subspecies: The subspecies ""C. p. ruwenzorii"" was formerly sometimes treated as a separate species, the Ruwenzori nightjar. Although a molecular genetic study"
"Gray-handed night monkey The gray-handed night monkey (""Aotus griseimembra"") is a species of night monkey formerly considered a subspecies of Gray-bellied night monkey of the family Aotidae. Its range consists of parts of Colombia and Venezuela. The exact classification of the gray-handed night monkey is uncertain. While some authors consider it a subspecies of the gray-bellied night monkey, ""A. lemurinus"", other authors consider it a separate species, ""A. griseimembra"". In Colombia, its range consists of the northern portion from the Sinú River (or perhaps further east) to the Venezuelan border, including the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the Magdalena"
"Hernández-Camacho's night monkey Hernández-Camacho's night monkey (""Aotus jorgehernandezi"") is a species of night monkey of the family Aotidae. It was first described in 2007 by Thomas Defler and Marta Bueno. It has a gray neck and a white patch over each eye, separated by a black band. The fur on the chest, belly, lower arms and lower wrists is thick and white. It differs from other gray-necked night monkey species other than Brumback's night monkey in having 50 chromosomes. It is believed to live in Colombia on the western slopes and foothills of the Andes, between Quindío and Risaralda. It"
"the species as well as the sympatric, Critically Endangered yellow-tailed woolly monkey. Peruvian night monkey The Peruvian night monkey (""Aotus miconax""), also known as the Andean night monkey, is a nocturnal New World monkey endemic to northern Peru. Adults weigh around and measure up to in length. Its colour is grey to light brown with characteristic black and white markings on the face. The chest, belly and upper arms are orange tinged, however, to a lesser extent then ""Aotus nigriceps"". The species is one of the least known and possibly rarest Neotropical primates. This species is listed as vulnerable by"
"is possible that it occurs in Tatamá Natural National Park. This range is currently also considered part of the range of the Panamanian night monkey. The Latin name honors the late Colombian biologist Jorge Hernández-Camacho. Hernández-Camacho's night monkey Hernández-Camacho's night monkey (""Aotus jorgehernandezi"") is a species of night monkey of the family Aotidae. It was first described in 2007 by Thomas Defler and Marta Bueno. It has a gray neck and a white patch over each eye, separated by a black band. The fur on the chest, belly, lower arms and lower wrists is thick and white. It differs from"
"Nocturnality Nocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is ""nocturnal"", versus diurnal meaning the opposite. Nocturnal creatures generally have highly developed senses of hearing, smell, and specially adapted eyesight. Such traits can help animals such as the ""Helicoverpa zea"" moths avoid predators. Some animals, such as cats and ferrets, have eyes that can adapt to both low-level and bright day levels of illumination (see metaturnal). Others, such as bushbabies and (some) bats, can function only at night. Many nocturnal creatures including tarsiers and some owls have large"
"Night heron The night herons are medium-sized herons, 58–65 cm, in the genera ""Nycticorax"", ""Nyctanassa,"" and ""Gorsachius"". The genus name ""Nycticorax"" derives from the Greek for “night raven” and refers to the largely nocturnal feeding habits of this group of birds, and the croaking crow-like call of the best known species, the black-crowned night heron. In Europe, night heron is often used to refer to the black-crowned night heron, since it is the only member of the genus in that continent. Adults are short-necked, short-legged, and stout herons with a primarily brown or grey plumage, and, in most, a black"
"The name derives from the , genitive form of (, ""night""), and (, ""monkey""). Geoffroy also named ""Nycticebus javanicus"" in this work. Later 19th-century authors also called the slow lorises ""Nycticebus"", but most used the species name ""tardigradus"" (given by Linnaeus in 1758 in the 10th edition of ""Systema Naturæ"") for slow lorises, until mammalogists Witmer Stone and James A. G. Rehn clarified in 1902 that Linnaeus's name actually referred to a slender loris. Several more species were named around 1900, including ""Nycticebus menagensis"" (originally ""Lemur menagensis"") by Richard Lydekker in 1893 and ""Nycticebus pygmaeus"" by John James Lewis Bonhote"
"of primates). According to Linnaeus' own explanation, the name was selected because of the nocturnal activity and slow movements of the slender loris. Being familiar with the works of Virgil and Ovid and seeing an analogy that fit with his naming scheme, Linnaeus adapted the term ""lemur"" for these nocturnal primates. However, it has been commonly and falsely assumed that Linnaeus was referring to the ghost-like appearance, reflective eyes, and ghostly cries of lemurs. In Goethe's ""Faust"", a chorus of Lemurs who serve Mephistopheles dig Faustus' grave. In the book by King James I of England, ""Daemonologie, In Forme of"
"Beta Canis Minoris Beta Canis Minoris (β Canis Minoris, abbreviated Beta CMi, β CMi), also named Gomeisa, is a star in the constellation of Canis Minor. In the night sky it is notable for its proximity to the prominent star Procyon. ""β Canis Minoris"" (Latinised to ""Beta Canis Minoris"") is the star's Bayer designation. The traditional name ""Gomeisa"" comes from the Arabic ""al-ghumaisa’"" 'the bleary-eyed (woman)', short for مرزم الغميصاء ""mirzam al-ghumaisa’"" 'girdle of the bleary-eyed one'. In Arabic, the short form would be identical with the name of Procyon. In 2016, the International Astronomical Union organized a Working Group"