What does the term "cathemeral" refer to in terms of animal activity?

The term "cathemeral" refers to animals that are active at any point throughout a 24-hour period. This means that cathemeral animals do not limit their activity to a specific time such as day or night, but rather exhibit flexibility in their behaviors, engaging in activity during both daylight hours and nighttime. This behavior can be advantageous as it allows these animals to adapt to environmental conditions and food availability at various times, increasing their chances of survival. Other terms like "nocturnal" or "diurnal" would specify activity restricted to night or day, respectively, while "crepuscular" would denote activity specifically at dawn and dusk, which differentiates cathemeral species as more versatile in their activity patterns.