Even though patterns vary widely among species, sleep appears to be a requirement for most animals. It has been observed in mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and some fish as well as insects and even simpler organisms, such as nematodes.
To see how the ones closest to us get their rest, we at Bored Panda invite you to take a look at the appropriately titled subreddit 'Animals Being Sleepy.'
Created back in 2018, it now has 42.5K members who are constantly sharing footage of our adorable friends giving in to their peaceful slumber. Enjoy!
#1 Sharing Is Caring
Image credits: b12ftw
#2 Sleepy Bat
Image credits: shygirlturnedsassy
Mammals, who are the main stars of this list, sleep to restore their mental and physical energy. The amount that they need depends on several factors, including age, body size, environment, diet, and the safety of their resting spot. Whether a mammal lives on land or in the sea can also affect how much sleep it needs.
Moreover, different mammals also spend varying amounts of time in non-REM and REM sleep. However, all of them studied thus far do exhibit signs of REM sleep, suggesting that mammals dream just like humans do!
#3 All Tired Out
Image credits: Sch3bang
#4 Now, That's A Sleep-Smile (& A 1/2) If I Ever Saw One!
Image credits: Oneofakind1977
#5 A Good Place To Nap! The Neighbor Had To Check In To See If He Was Ok
Image credits: EcstaticSeahorse
Mammalian sleep is often categorized as monophasic or polyphasic.
The former describes animals who generally receive their sleep in one concentrated period of time. Humans are an example of monophasic sleepers — our circadian rhythms encourage us to sleep for extended periods at night and be active and alert during the day.
Polyphasic sleepers, on the other hand, tend to sleep multiple times throughout a 24-hour cycle. In nature, polyphasic sleep is more common, as many animals need to maintain some level of vigilance against predators. However, if threats are minimized, they can enjoy monophasic sleep. Marmosets, for example, sleep in trees surrounded by their family, enabling them to feel more protected and enter monophasic sleep phases.
#6 Cats That Actually Want Your Love And Affection
Image credits: hazel037
#7 We Were Gone For 10 Days. I Think She Missed Us
Image credits: settiek
#8 Biscuit The Tiny Lop Does A Snooze And A Flop. We Need To Get Her To Stop
Image credits: eliteprephistory
#9 I Got Too Comfortable And Now Must Snooze
Image credits: eliteprephistory
Interestingly, birds sleep unihemispherically, with one side of the brain dozing off while the other stays awake. As they sleep, only the eye associated with the sleeping hemisphere of their brain is closed. Unihemispheric sleep allows them to protect themselves from predators. For example, mallard ducks can sleep in a row, and those at the end will be most likely to sleep unihemispherically, with their outward eye remaining open, while ducks in the middle sleep with both eyes closed.
#10 Puppy Is Sleeping In The Cutest Positions Ever
Image credits: hazel037
#11 He Gone
Image credits: reddit.com
#12 Sleepy Kitten
Image credits: Top-Cryptographer491
#13 Sometimes He Gets Scared That He's All Alone So I Scratch Behind His Ears Until He Falls Asleep
Image credits: AgentWolf358
Unihemispheric sleep also enables migratory birds to make their long flights. These animals may sleep while gliding, when their wings don’t need to flap as much. Birds, like the Alpine swift, have been documented flying for up to 200 days non-stop
#14 The Nap Gang Is In The Town
Image credits: SubiSG1
#15 Shhh, Suspect Is Asleep
Image credits: eliteprephistory
#16 Progression Of Snooze
Image credits: HOH_Camp-Dad
#17 He Asleep - I Am Now Stuck Forever
Image credits: adazeuq
But these wholesome pictures might be beneficial to us even more than we realize. A study conducted by the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, in partnership with Western Australia Tourism, has found evidence to suggest that watching cute animals may contribute to a reduction in stress and anxiety.
So thank you, 'Animals Being Sleepy,' for sharing them with us!
#18 At 14, She Doesn’t Play With Toys Much Anymore, But She Still Loves Cuddling With Them
Image credits: sadandwhite
#19 My Dog Likes To Sleep Sucking A Blanket
Image credits: crazylittlethings
#20 She Was So Sleepy She Didn't Even Wake Up When My Boyfriend Moved Her
Image credits: cofeycabron
#21 Last Week He Was Living Outside, This Week Ramsay Is Learning To Trust Humans
Image credits: pinkandpuff
#22 Tuckered Out From A Hard Day Of Barking At The Wind
Image credits: Neothin87
#23 This Is Phoebo. He Likes Letting His Feet Dangle Off The Edge Of The Bed While Getting Scritches
Image credits: mr_afrolicious
#24 Smol Is Tired
Image credits: MindHeartSoulSpirit
#25 I Promise, He Looks Majestic When He's Awake
Image credits: ghostwooman
#26 The Sleepiest Little Bandit In Town
Image credits: eliteprephistory
#27 Little Beauty Sleep
Image credits: reddit.com
#28 Nap Time
Image credits: fireflies08
#29 Well-Earned Nap On My Jacket. The Hike Was A Lot For My Old Girl
Image credits: atomikitten
#30 Our Relationship Is Symbiotic. I Am Pillow. She Is Hot Water Pup
Image credits: schmeebee
#31 I Can't Believe How Cute She Is Sometimes
Image credits: peeparonipupza
#32 Asleep In 10-Seconds
Image credits: freeatlastsgon
#33 You’re... Getting... Sleep... Yyyyy
Image credits: jepster666
#34 My Sleepy Sphinx
Image credits: MurtaghGamer
#35 Tongue Out Dreams
Image credits: HarleySnow18
#36 A Circle
Image credits: AgentWolf358
#37 My Baby Boy Snoozing
Image credits: sleepinginmycar
#38 Can't Move. Sawyer Is Sleeping
Image credits: TheOak
#39 Willow Fell Asleep Mid-Stretch
Image credits: violet19
#40 Garak Found A Comfy Nap Spot
Image credits: YourPolyGoddess
#41 Total Relaxation
Image credits: fliminglaps
#42 Cousin's New Puppy After An Eventful Christmas Afternoon
Image credits: OpenCole
#43 His Own Bed In The Sitting Room, His Own Bed In The Bedroom, Choses The Kitchen Floor
Image credits: Dependent_Owl967
#44 Saffron Accepts The New Turquoise Baby
Image credits: c0gnitivityy
#45 This Is Toby. His Favorite Pillow Is Whatever Piece Of Technology You're Trying To Use Right Now
Image credits: anarchya780
#46 Nothing Like Sleeping On Your Brothers To Make A Pup Smile
Image credits: hypatia423
#47 Long Day Of Zoomies (And Biting Mommy's Shoes) Can Be Exhausting
Image credits: AlephOwO
#48 The Sacred Yawn Photo™. Many Months I Have Waited For This Opportunity. I Have Been Blessed This Day
Image credits: bluujjaay
#49 Car Rides Make Petra Sleepy
Image credits: noahleeann
#50 The Proper Way To Start 2021. Naps With Cats!
Image credits: washgirl7980
