Numerous creatures possess remarkable multitasking abilities, and some of these critters exhibit a peculiar inclination for snoozing during their journeys. This behaviour serves a dual purpose, aiding them in evading potential predators, while also facilitating their vital respiration process underwater. For various marine animals, locomotion plays a crucial role in their ability to access oxygen and survive beneath the waves.
Birds
Most birds spend the majority of their lives on the move either migrating or hunting. Because of this, scientists believe that birds, like whales, are unihemispheric sleepers that can sleep while they soar. In fact, some birds have been observed remaining in the sky for up to six months, meaning that they must eat, sleep and drink while up in the air!
Dolphins
Dolphins rest through both deep sleep and lighter ‘naps’. Deep sleep is known as ‘logging’ because of the way they float like logs in the water, while naps are taken, a dolphin continues to swim. Spare a thought for mother dolphins too, as baby dolphins don'sleep at all in their first few months! Mother dolphins must nap on the move, as calves don’t have enough body fat to float.
Sharks
Sharks need water to pass over their gills in order to breathe, so most sharks sleep while they move. However, researchers recently filmed a great white shark sleeping for the first time, and discovered that some sleep facing into strong currents so that water flows through their gills with no effort needed.
Snakes
Snakes actually sleep with their eyes ‘open’, as they don’t have eyelids to close their eyes. Instead, their eyes are covered with transparent scales which protect their eyes and stop them becoming dry. These are called ‘spectacles’.
Giraffes
Giraffes are hard-core. They only need 30 minutes of sleep a day, which they take standing up in five minute bursts to avoid attacks from predators. However, if needed, giraffes can go weeks without any sleep at all. Baby giraffes have a particularly inventive way of getting comfy before a nap, curving their long necks to rest their head on their back.