Nocturnal animals coloring pages
Owls, bats, moths, raccoons and other night-active creatures appear in moonlit scenes ready to color.
- Free to print
- Ages 3–10
- Letter & A4
What’s in these nocturnal animals coloring pages
Two styles in one set. Detailed, realistic portraits of owls, bats, raccoons, fennec foxes, tarsiers, kiwis, moths and more, each with its name at the top. And simpler cartoon scenes of animals out under the moon, like a bat over a pond or an owl on a moonlit branch.
How these pages help
- Introduces unusual animalsAye-ayes, tarsiers and nightjars are new to most kids.
- Builds observation skillsThe realistic drawings reward close looking at fur, feathers and eyes.
- Works for a range of agesCartoon pages for preschoolers, detailed portraits for older kids.
- Ties into science lessonsUse them to talk about why some animals are active at night.
Choose a page to print
Print opens a ready-to-print page. PDF downloads US Letter; A4 is for the rest of the world.
Owl
Medium · ages 6–10
A realistic owl perched with feathers in fine detail. Owls can turn their heads a very long way.
Fun fact: Many owls hunt after dark.
Bat
Medium · ages 6–10
A bat with its wings spread wide. Bats are the only mammals that can truly fly.
Fun fact: Bats are the only mammals that can truly fly.
Hedgehog
Medium · ages 6–10
A hedgehog with hundreds of spines. Hedgehogs snuffle around for beetles at night.
Fun fact: Hedgehogs curl into a spiky ball to stay safe.
Opossum
Medium · ages 6–10
An opossum with a long bare tail. Opossums are North America’s only marsupial.
Raccoon
Medium · ages 6–10
A raccoon with its masked face and ringed tail. Raccoons use their front paws like hands.
Firefly
Medium · ages 6–10
A firefly with wings open. Fireflies flash their light to find each other in the dark.
Aye-aye
Medium · ages 6–10
An aye-aye with huge eyes and big ears. This rare animal lives only on Madagascar.
Nightjar
Medium · ages 6–10
A nightjar perched on a twig. Its feathers blend in with tree bark during the day.
Fennec fox
Medium · ages 6–10
A fennec fox with enormous ears. Big ears help it hear prey and stay cool in the desert.
Fun fact: Foxes listen for prey with their big ears.
Tarsier
Medium · ages 6–10
A tarsier with giant round eyes. Each eye is about as big as its brain.
Wombat
Medium · ages 6–10
A sturdy wombat with a round body. Wombats dig burrows and come out at night.
Fun fact: Bats are the only mammals that can truly fly.
Sugar glider
Medium · ages 6–10
Two sugar gliders cling to a branch. They glide between trees using skin flaps.
Kiwi
Medium · ages 6–10
A kiwi bird with a long thin beak. Kiwis cannot fly and sniff for food at night.
Porcupine
Medium · ages 6–10
A porcupine covered in quills. Ask why so many night animals have spines.
Lemur
Medium · ages 6–10
A lemur with big ringed eyes sits upright. Many lemurs come out after dark.
Skunk
Medium · ages 6–10
A skunk with its bushy striped tail. A bold, simple outline.
Moth
Medium · ages 6–10
A moth with patterned wings and feathery antennae. Color both wings to match.
Leopard
Medium · ages 6–10
A leopard, labeled panther, stands on a rock. Leopards often hunt at night.
Tarantula
Medium · ages 6–10
A big, hairy tarantula. Great for kids who love creepy-crawlies.
Flying squirrel
Medium · ages 6–10
A flying squirrel mid-glide. It spreads out like a kite to sail between trees.
Bat Over Night Pond
Easy · ages 3–5
A smiling bat swoops over a moonlit pond. Bold lines for younger kids.
Fun fact: Bats are the only mammals that can truly fly.
Hedgehog Night Garden
Easy · ages 3–5
A hedgehog and a snail explore a garden under the moon. Cute and simple.
Fun fact: Hedgehogs curl into a spiky ball to stay safe.
Moth Around Moonflower
Easy · ages 3–5
A moth flutters over a moonflower at night. Some flowers open only after dark.
Owl And Moth At Night
Easy · ages 3–5
An owl on a branch watches a moth fly by. Two night creatures on one page.
Fun fact: Many owls hunt after dark.
Owl On Moonlit Branch
Easy · ages 3–5
A wide-eyed owl perches under a crescent moon. Easy, bold shapes.
Fun fact: Many owls hunt after dark.
Raccoon By Night Tree
Easy · ages 3–5
A raccoon peeks out from behind a tree at night. Playful and simple.
Download the whole set as one PDF
Want a whole book?
Prefer one download? The nocturnal animals coloring pages are also in the free Nocturnal Animals Coloring Book, with a cover, name page and certificate.
How to use these pages
Notice the eyes, ears and wings in each picture. Ask what sounds an animal might hear after dark.
Choose a few animals for a nighttime nature activity, then compare them with wildlife active during the day.
Nocturnal means most active at night. Compare the owl, bat and moth pages, then ask which animals a child might hear after dark. Some owl species are active in daylight too; the Cornell Lab of Ornithology describes this variation.
Questions to ask while you color
- What do you notice about the animal in owl?
- What do you notice about the animal in bat?
- What do you notice about the animal in hedgehog?
- What do you notice about the animal in opossum?
- What do you notice about the animal in raccoon?
Looking for more? Try Cute duck coloring pages or African animals coloring pages.
Frequently asked questions
Are all owls active only at night?
No. Many owls hunt at night, but some species are also active in daylight.
What ages are these nocturnal animals coloring pages for?
The nocturnal animals coloring pages mix two levels. Pages marked Easy have bold lines and big spaces for ages 3–5; pages marked Medium add a little more detail for ages 6–10. Look for the label under each picture.
Can I print the nocturnal animals coloring pages for a class or clinic?
Yes, the nocturnal animals coloring pages are free to print in any quantity for a classroom, library, therapy room or clinic, as well as at home. Please do not sell them or upload them to another website.
