Human-driven activities, including climate change, are significantly impacting the body clocks of mammals, a global study has found. The research revealed that only 39% of mammal species are behaving in accordance with previous scientific predictions on circadian rhythms.

Conducted by researchers from The University of Sydney and other institutions, the study suggests that environmental changes caused by human activities may be altering the natural diel cycles—24-hour biological rhythms—that govern animal behavior. This could mean that a significant portion of earlier research on mammalian body clocks may now be outdated due to rapid ecological shifts.

Circadian rhythms regulate essential activities such as feeding, mating, and movement. When disrupted, these changes can impact species’ survival and ecological balance. Factors such as artificial lighting, habitat destruction, and climate change are believed to be key contributors to this disruption.

The findings highlight the urgent need for updated research and conservation efforts to understand and mitigate the long-term effects of human-induced changes on wildlife behavior.