Which animal sleeps the most in a 24-hour period
Same as humans, other animals also need rest, on average a human typically sleeps for around 8 hours per day in a 24-hour period. However, It must be said that some animals do sleep for longer time duration than humans.
In this article, you will get to know some of the few animals that sleep the most.
No 1. Koala
The koala (Phascolartos cinereus) is a genuine Snorlax. They can typically sleep for 18 to 22 hours every day. Research has found that their level of nutrition intake is the main reason behind it. Koalas consume eucalyptus leaves, which are heavily toxic, therefore their digestive systems struggle to metabolize them and they can only absorb a little number of nutrients. It sounds odd, doesn’t it?
Koalas spend the majority of their time sleeping after meals because of the food they eat and the little number of nutrients and energy they receive from it. Therefore it could be said that Probably the only things that koalas do are eat and sleep.
No 2. Little Brown Bat
Bats in general do sleep a lot, However, based on observation the research has found out that tiny brown bat (Myptis lucifugus) sleeps for an average of 19 hours per day in captivity.
However, the actual time duration may vary, in the wild as it was derived from bats kept in captivity. It should be noted that bats do sleep a lot in order to save energy. They typically sleep by hanging upside down from the ceilings of structures, e.t.c.
No 3. European hedgehog
Hedgehogs come from a variety of species, and all of them do value their sleep as a main priority. They are nocturnal, like bats, they sleep all day. As we’re discussing about hedgehogs and how much they enjoy sleeping, we thought we’d spotlight our own European hedgehog (Erinaceus Europas).
It must be said that Hedgehogs in general this also includes the European hedgehog (Erinaceus Europas), do sleep for about 18 hours per day, as per research it has been also found that they sleep for such a long time duration as they do not have any work to do during the day. Such as Lucky animal to be.
4. Giant Armadillos
It should be noted that the giant armadillo (Priodontes Maximus) is one of the largest variants, is robust, and coated with bony, hard scales. Gigantic armadillo, in general, may typically sleep for about 16 to 18 hours per day, and it is another nocturnal creature that requires a lot of sleep.
Giant armadillos spend most of the day napping in their burrow. By using their third claw as a shovel, they excavate these tunnels to make their individual sleeping spaces.
5. Brown-throated three-toed sloth
Sloths are known to be slow creatures, so it seems sensible that they would also be sleepy. A brown-throated three-toed sloth called Bradypus variegatus sleeps a lot. In general, these sloths do sleep anywhere between a time duration of 14 to 16 hours per day.
In comparison to other nocturnal creatures on the list, the brown-throated three-toed sloth snoozes both during the day and at night. Before going to bed, they stay awake for periods of two to three hours. They have two different “modes” that they can use to sleep. It should be also mentioned that the creatures have the ability to sleep Even with their eyes open and blinking. As an alternative, they will doze off while dangling from a tree in a behavioral sleep state with their eyes closed.
Bonus 6. Hamsters
Research has found that Hamsters sleep on an average of anywhere between 12 to 14 hours a day.
The major reason behind their sleep duration is the daylight, Hamsters typically don’t want to be visible in the eyes of their predators, therefore They tunnel underground and spend the daylight sleeping, after which at night they usually go on their daily food hunt. Making them one of the most Clever & Adorable creatures out there.
How about animals that go into hibernation?
If we look outside of a 24-hour time period, you might be tempted to believe that hibernating creatures do out beat the sleep time of some of the creatures mentioned in this article, However, it must be stated that Hibernation, is a prolonged state of torpor rather than sleep.
It must be said that Hibernation does differ from sleep in a lot of things, mainly because this involves significant physiological changes. For instance, both body temperature and metabolic rate sharply decline. Significantly slower breathing and heart rates are also observed.
Even though these things happen while sleeping, they are nowhere closer to the animals that are in the state of hibernation, Also it must be said that it is pretty much impossible to wake an animal that is in the state of hibernation, also after they come out from hibernation, they may even appear sleep deprived.
It must be also mentioned that there are certain differences when it comes to the brain activity of an animal that is in the sleep & hibernation state. When it comes to sleep the animal’s brain waves do change or vary based on the changes in the sleep cycle, In comparison when it comes to hibernation the brain waves would remain the same.
Conclusion
In this article, we have covered only a few animals that sleep more than humans, however, it must be said that There are actually a lot more animals than humans that can pretty much sleep for a time duration of 15 hours or more each night.
It must be also mentioned that some of them are nocturnal, and as a routine, they spend almost their entire day sleeping. We would also like to mention to you that there are certain animals that sleep a lot according to their environment and diet.
For instance, Animals such as Tigers do sleep anywhere between 18 to 19 hours a day. They do this in order to get re-energized to go for their daily hunting routine, they typically sleep after they are done with having their food.
Should I take my pet with me on vacation?
Animal brains v human brains – let the Battle of the Brains commence!