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Do all animals sleep? |
Creature Features
We know that sleep is very important for humans. It gives our bodies and our brains time to rest, refresh, and develop so that we can concentrate, learn, and have fun when we’re awake! – But is every other creature the same way? Do all animals sleep??
Because there are so many different kinds of creatures in the world, it is hard to know for sure whether or not every single type of animal sleeps. And there are some creatures – like tiny bugs or deep-sea dwellers – who can be pretty hard to study.
What we do know is that at some point, most animals do appear to sleep or, at the very least, to rest in a sleep-like state. Most fish, for example, get their “sleep” by resting and conserving energy, often hiding to protect themselves from danger. Most insects also appear to have separate “sleep” or “rest” that is different from their waking time, although because most insects don’t have eyelids their sleep doesn’t always look the way we would expect! Animals with sleep habits more like our own tend to be mammals, although birds and lizards also seem to get their zzz’s in a very human-like way. Dream on!
Because there are so many different kinds of creatures in the world, it is hard to know for sure whether or not every single type of animal sleeps. And there are some creatures – like tiny bugs or deep-sea dwellers – who can be pretty hard to study.
What we do know is that at some point, most animals do appear to sleep or, at the very least, to rest in a sleep-like state. Most fish, for example, get their “sleep” by resting and conserving energy, often hiding to protect themselves from danger. Most insects also appear to have separate “sleep” or “rest” that is different from their waking time, although because most insects don’t have eyelids their sleep doesn’t always look the way we would expect! Animals with sleep habits more like our own tend to be mammals, although birds and lizards also seem to get their zzz’s in a very human-like way. Dream on!
Sleep Study!
Animals are all different in their sleeping habits, but so are some people, too! – While some people like to sleep a little later, others like waking up nice and early!
What are your usual sleeping patterns? Do you wake up really early, feeling refreshed and ready to start the day, or do you prefer being able to sleep a little later?
Interview some of the people in your family and some of your friends about their usual sleep patterns. What kinds of different things do people tell you?
- Glass, Don. “Do Bugs Sleep?” A Moment of Science. 27 Sep. 2003. Indiana Public Media. 23 Oct. 2010
- “What is sleep… and why do we do it?” Neuroscience for Kids. The University of Washington. 23 Oct. 2010
- “How Much Do Animals Sleep?” Neuroscience for Kids. The University of Washington. 23 Oct. 2010
- Ihde, Tom F. “Do fish sleep?” Ask a Biologist – NEWTON Ask a Scientist. Argonne National Library. 23 Oct. 2010
- Steinau, Rick. “Do Insects Sleep.” Ask the Exterminator. 23 Oct. 2010