Oct 1, 2024
Many animals have fascinating sleep patterns or forego sleep almost entirely, highlighting the incredible adaptability of nature. Here are ten creatures known for their minimal or non-existent sleep habits.
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Alpine swifts can remain airborne for months, catching sleep in brief moments mid-flight. This remarkable ability is crucial for their long migratory journeys.
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Some ant species have incredibly short sleep cycles, with queens taking brief naps and worker ants staying awake for long durations to ensure the colony’s survival.
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Bullfrogs have an extraordinary ability to go months without sleep. Researchers believe they remain alert to changes in their surroundings, relying on short rest periods instead of deep sleep.
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Deer can significantly cut down on sleep, especially during migrations or in the presence of predators. They remain semi-alert, ready to flee at a moment’s notice.
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Dolphins utilise unihemispheric slow-wave sleep, where one half of their brain rests while the other stays awake. This allows them to breathe and stay alert for potential predators.
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With only about two hours of sleep daily, elephants are often on the move. Their light sleep schedule allows them to maintain large social groups and spend more time foraging.
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Needing just a few minutes to two hours of sleep per day, giraffes nap in short bursts. Their height requires constant vigilance to avoid predators and maintain balance.
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Horses are capable of sleeping while standing and only require around two hours of REM sleep each day, which helps them quickly escape from predators if needed.
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Certain shark species need to keep swimming to breathe, so they do not sleep traditionally. Instead, they experience periods of reduced activity while staying partially awake.
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Walruses can swim for up to 84 hours without sleep, compensating with long periods of rest on land, sometimes sleeping for up to 19 hours in one stretch.
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