Sleep? Who Needs It? 10 Animals That Don't Need Sleep

Nov 12, 2024

By: NewsPoint

Alpine Swifts

These birds can fly nonstop for months during migration, resting in mid-air without fully sleeping. They can remain airborne for up to 200 days, reducing the need for conventional sleep.

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Ants

Ants take very short naps throughout the day and night, averaging around a minute each, which allows them to work almost constantly for the colony without requiring long sleep periods.

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Bullfrogs

Bullfrogs show little evidence of deep sleep and instead rest with one eye open, staying alert to environmental changes, which allows them to respond instantly to potential threats.

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Deer

Deer rarely experience deep sleep; they frequently nap in short bursts throughout the day and night, allowing them to stay aware of nearby predators, a necessary adaptation for survival in the wild.

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Dolphins

Dolphins engage in unihemispheric slow-wave sleep, where only half of their brain rests at a time, enabling them to surface for air and stay vigilant to potential dangers while "half-sleeping."

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Elephants

Wild elephants sleep just two to four hours a day, often while standing, and tend to be most active at night. Their light sleep helps them avoid predators and stay on the move in search of food and water.

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Giraffes

Giraffes sleep less than five hours per day, usually taking short naps of just a few minutes each, and sleep mostly while standing, which lets them stay alert and respond quickly to predators.

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Horses

Horses often doze while standing by locking their leg muscles, which allows them to stay ready to bolt in case of danger. They usually lie down only for brief, deeper sleep periods.

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Sharks

Some species of sharks, like the great white, lack swim bladders and must keep moving to breathe. This continuous movement prevents them from entering full sleep, though they rest in shallow, near-sleep states.

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Walruses

Walruses can stay active and awake for up to 84 hours during migrations, often dozing briefly while floating in water or lying on ice, conserving energy without needing prolonged sleep.

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