![]() ![]() "Horses will spend most of their time sleeping standing up, but they don't actually reach full REM sleep when they're standing," Sarah Matlock, a senior instructor of equine behavior at Colorado State University, told Live Science. This enables the horse to remain standing without having to maintain much tension in their muscles.īut while horses do most of their sleeping while standing, they do need to lie down for more restorative sleep. When a horse relaxes its leg muscles, the stay apparatus ligaments and tendons act as tension bands that stabilize the shoulder, knee and ankle joints in the legs. These features, known as a "stay apparatus" include a series of tendons and ligaments - soft tissues that connect muscle to bone, and bone to bone, respectively - that run throughout both the forelegs and hind legs, according to Waite. Horses have specialized anatomical features that enable them to stay on their hooves while catching some z's. According to BBC Science Focus, the same goes for other large prey herbivores, such as zebras, bison, elephants and giraffes, all of which are capable of sleeping on their feet. A standing horse is therefore much better able to run away when roused from sleep. Simply put, horses are big animals, and it takes time and energy for them to get off the ground. "Standing gives them a literal jump on predators and a better chance of getting away than if they were down," Karen Waite, an equine specialist at Michigan State University, told Live Science in an email. Horses come from a long line of prey animals in the family Equidae, and sleeping on their hooves is an adaptation against predation. The answer is one of survival: Horses slumber while standing to balance their need for sleep against the ever-looming threat of predators. So why do these mammals sleep standing up? We are reminded of the extraordinary wonders nature has to offer as we awe at their tenacity and unwavering vigilance.If you've ever passed by a field of horses at night, you've probably noticed that they rarely lie down to sleep. They can survive in environments where others would succumb to the call of sleep thanks to their adaptations and special abilities. These 10 Animals that don’t sleep make us re-evaluate how we think about sleep and make us aware of the variety of life on Earth. Individual bees occasionally take naps, but the collective hive is constantly active, ensuring the colony’s survival and well-being. The Honeybee: In the centre of the hive, honeybees laboriously perform their complex dance to exchange essential information. Torpor, or brief periods of rest, allows bats to lower their metabolic rate and conserve energy while still being ready to fly. They rarely take long naps because of their sharpened senses, and they are always ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice.īat: The bat, a nocturnal marvel that soars through the night skies in search of insects, is a wonder to behold. These tiny creatures work tirelessly in their colonies, constantly involved in complex tasks and communicating via chemical signals to ensure the survival of their community.Ĭheetah: The cheetah is the fastest land animal, and it depends on its extraordinary speed and agility to catch its prey. The Ant – Sleep is a luxury that ants simply cannot afford in their busy environment. They can stand still for extended periods of time while conserving energy and keeping an eye out for potential prey. They are able to sleep while gliding and master the vast distances without ever touching down.Ĭrocodile: The crocodile is an extinct reptile that lurks beneath the water’s surface and hunts covertly. ![]() To find predators and ensure their survival in the vast wilderness, they rely on their keen senses.Īlbatross: The majestic albatross flies above the waves of the ocean for the majority of its life. The Giraffe: Giraffes, which tower over the African plains, have an unusual sleeping pattern they frequently only sleep for a short while at a time. Although they have been seen taking brief naps, they never truly fall asleep, instead staying alert and guarded. The Elephant: Savannah’s gentle giants, elephants devote their time to constant foraging and the protection of their herds. This enables them to effortlessly breathe and keep their awareness while gliding through the ocean currents. The dolphin is a species of intelligent marine mammal that has a particular sleeping pattern known as “unihemispheric sleep.” They maintain full brain activity while letting one hemisphere of their brain rest at a time. They must maintain their alertness in order to avoid predators and provide for their own needs. The Bullfrog – Known for their recognisable croaks that reverberate all night long, bullfrogs are alert even when there is no sleep. ![]()
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