The importance of sleep, whether during the day or at night, is significant for maintaining human health and recovering from daily fatigue. Scientists recommend spending at least a quarter of the 24-hour day — that is, 6 hours — on sleep as an essential part of daily life. However, animals have adapted their sleep patterns to various processes. According to IFLScience, some animals spend a large part of the day sleeping, while others remain active throughout the day.
Koala — an animal adapted to sleep
The species that sleeps the most among animals is the koala, which is a symbol of Australia. Koalas can sleep for 18-22 hours a day. The main reason related to their sleep is the low energy value of the eucalyptus leaves they consume. Eucalyptus leaves contain only 5 percent of sugar and starch, resulting in koalas receiving very little energy. This lack of energy leads them to adapt to a sleeping state, allowing them to conserve energy and ensure growth.
Interestingly, although eucalyptus leaves are toxic to koalas, they have a special system that allows them to digest this poison in their bodies. However, a significant drawback of this system is that it requires a lot of energy. Therefore, koalas spend a large part of the day sleeping and are forced to conserve energy to maintain their fuel.
Ants — animals that do not spend much time sleeping
In contrast, ants are distinguished by their activity. One of the most active animals among scientists, the fire ant, spends only 4 hours and 48 minutes of the day sleeping. Nevertheless, these ants take naps 253 times throughout the day, with each sleep cycle lasting less than a minute. This demonstrates their high activity and constant working ability.
The sleep patterns among animals correspond to their roles in the ecosystem and energy needs. The fact that koalas spend a large part of the day sleeping stems from their toxic and low-energy diet. Ants, on the other hand, stand out with their activity, striving to work throughout the day without sleep. These new sleep strategies employed by animals ensure their survival in their natural environment
