Key points
- Ukrainian polar researchers have revealed the phenomenon of micro-sleep in Antarctic penguins.
- The birds fall asleep for several seconds thousands of times a day, accumulating 10-11 hours of full sleep.
- Emperor penguins sleep mostly standing, while other species sleep lying down or even on water.
- The study was conducted in a colony of Antarctic penguins, relatives of sub-Antarctic penguins that nest near the “Academician Vernadsky” station.
- Micro-napping allows birds on nests to rest and protect their eggs and chicks at the same time.
Ukrainian polar researchers reported on the peculiarities of penguin sleep and the phenomenon of micro-sleep, which an international team of scientists recorded in Antarctic penguins several years ago.
The birds fall asleep for several seconds, but repeat this process thousands of times a day, accumulating 10-11 hours of sleep.
This is not about dozing, but about deep (slow) sleep, which was recorded using special devices.
– National Antarctic Scientific Center.
The sleeping position depends on the species, method, and period of the penguin’s life.
Emperor penguins, which live and breed on ice, mostly sleep standing to reduce contact with the cold surface. Other species can sleep lying down, and sometimes even on water.
And the chicks sleep in any pose: sometimes in such unnatural positions that our biologists worry if everything is okay with them.
– National Antarctic Scientific Center.
The study was conducted in a colony of Antarctic penguins during the breeding season. These birds are close relatives of sub-Antarctic penguins that nest near the Ukrainian “Academician Vernadsky” station.
Scientists have found that micro-napping helps birds that sit on nests and protect eggs or chicks to stay alert and rest at the same time. Researchers assume that such sleep may perform at least part of the restorative functions of full sleep.
Whether penguins use micro-napping constantly or if it’s an adaptation only for the breeding period is still unknown. It is believed that penguins generally sleep for 8-10 hours a day in periods of several hours.
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