Most animals must sleep that helps them to grow, stay healthy and remember things. But there are some animals which never or seldom sleep at all. Here we shortlist 10 animals that never sleep. The question is:
How do they survive? Science has the answers!
Unlike humans, these animals have unique methods of sleep.
Let’s talk about the 10 animals that never sleep and how they survive!
Bullfrogs – Always Awake
Bullfrogs are big amphibians. They belong to the Lithobates group. They come from North America. However, they have been brought to other continents too.
These frogs eat meat. Anything that fits in their mouths, they will eat like; insects, fish, rodents, birds, and even other frogs.
Bullfrogs make loud, deep sounds. They use these calls to find mates and protect their homes.
Unlike most animals, bullfrogs do not need sleep. They do not have a sleep-wake cycle. Instead, they rest in a dormant state. This means they stay still and use less energy.
They can rest during the day or night, depending on the weather. When winter comes, they hibernate. They bury themselves in the mud. Their heartbeat and breathing slow down to help them survive.
Dolphins – Half-Asleep Trick
Dolphins are very intelligent and human friendly animal. They always active to protect themselves from predators and prey. For this, dolphins have grown with a unique mechanism known as unihemispheric sleep. That helps them to sleep with one half of their brain at a time, whereas the other half of brain remains conscious. Due to that, they can breathing, swimming and most importantly keep eyes on their surroundings. Dolphins can open one of their eye while the other is closed. For the first month of their life, newborn dolphins and their mothers remain awake because they need to bond and defend one another.
Fruit Fly: Tiny Insect, Big Secrets in Sleep and Survival!
Fruit flies are small insects. Their scientific name is Drosophila. They are very important for genetic research. Many of their genes are similar to human genes.
These flies live only a few days or weeks. However, they follow a daily routine called a circadian rhythm. This controls when they are active or resting.
Some fruit flies hardly need sleep. A few can live their whole lives without it. Others need only a little rest.
Scientists made an amazing discovery. Lack of sleep does not harm these flies. It does not shorten their lives or affect their health. This shows how complex sleep is, even in tiny insects.
Sea Sponge: Simple, Strong, and Resilient!
Sponges are simple aquatic animals. Their scientific group is called Porifera. They are among Earth’s oldest life forms. They have existed for over 500 million years.
Sponges do not move. They attach to rocks, coral, or other surfaces. Their porous bodies let water flow through them. This helps them filter food and oxygen. They remove waste through an opening called the osculum.
Sponges do not sleep. They have no brains, nerves or organs. Instead, special cells handle digestion, reproduction, and defense.
They are also very strong. If injured, they can regrow and heal themselves. This makes them highly adaptable in the ocean.
Orca: Biggest Predator!
Indeed! Orcas are the largest dolphins. They are also known as killer whales. Orcas are powerful hunters in the ocean.
They form groups known as pods, which can have up to 40 members. Orcas have strong bonds and work together well.
Like dolphins, orcas sleep with one half of their brain awake at a time. This helps them stay alert while resting.
Baby orcas do not sleep much in their first months. They need to stay close to their mothers to stay warm.
Orcas use many different sounds to talk to each other. They may even have different accents in their pods. This helps them hunt together and interact socially.
Sea Urchin: Spiny and Strong!
Sea urchins are marine animals. They belong to the Echinoidea group. They are in the same family as starfish and sea cucumbers.
Sea urchins have a strong, spiky shell. They exist in oceans at all depths. They consume algae, coral, sponges, and other organic matter.
They are important for the environment. Sea urchins help control algae growth. They also provide shelter for other animals. This is why, it is in our list of 10 animals that never sleep.
Sea urchins can’t sleep because they don’t have a brain and eyes. Instead, they have a nerve ring around their mouth. This is linked to their tube feet, which help them move and feel their surroundings.
They can also change color and shape to mix in and protect themselves.
Alpine Swift – 10 Animals that Never Sleep
Alpine swifts are medium-sized birds. They belong to the Tachymarptis group. These birds live in Europe, Asia, and Africa. In winter, they fly to warmer areas.
Alpine swifts are great fliers. They can fly with the speeds about 200 km/h. They can fly continuously for up to six months without any stay. During this time, they eat, mate, and even sleep without landing.
Scientists found that alpine swifts enter torpor when flying. This means their body temperature and metabolism drop to save energy. They also adjust their wings and flight patterns to use less energy and avoid obstacles.
Upside-Down Jellyfish
Upside-down jellyfish are the type of Cassiopea group. They live in warm, shallow waters around the world. These jellyfish are unique because they rest upside-down on the seafloor. This is why, it is in our list of 10 animals that never sleep.
This position helps them expose their algae, called zooxanthellae, to sunlight. They get nutrients and oxygen from the algae.
Their tentacles point upward to catch plankton and small organisms.
Unlike most animals, upside-down jellyfish don’t sleep. They have not brain or nervous system. Instead, they use network of nerve cells to control their movements.
They can also pulse their bell (the dome part of their body). This creates water currents that help them move.
Bluefish – 10 Animals that Never Sleep
Bluefish are Pomatomus species. They found in temperate and tropical waters in the world. These fish are sharp hunters and can travel long-distance.
Bluefish are well-known for their aggressiveness and extensive eating nature. They eat various type of sea animals, like fish, crustaceans, and squid.
They can swim very at the speeds of up to 70 km/h. They travel far to find food.
Unlike many animals, bluefish don’t sleep. Their constant movement is important for breathing and hunting.
Their lateral line helps them feel vibrations in the water. This helps them find prey and avoid predators.
Tilapia – 10 Animals that Never Sleep
Tilapia are freshwater fish belonging to the Cichlidae family. They basically found in Africa and the Middle East. These are not only limited to these areas, because these days, they have been introduced to other areas of the world.
Tilapia are most popular in the world, because they are easy to farm and they have a mild flavor.
These fish are adaptable and strong. They can survive in any kinds of water and temperatures.
They do not have pineal gland, so Tilapia can’t sleep. Because the pineal gland is the hormone which makes melatonin (that necessary for health sleep).
They can also change color and behavior to hide from predators.
10 Animals that Never Sleep – Conclusion
Sleep is essential for almost every animal to keep themselves healthy. But some animals can survive without sleep. These animals have unique ways to sleep and be alert at same time. In this list about 10 animals that never sleep, we shortlisted some animals that never sleep and we tried to explain their reasons. Some of the animals never sleep, while some are sleep and awake simultaneously. Science continues its research on these animals’ sleep and survival. Now, after reading this list about 10 animals that never sleep, we can say that the nature is full of surprises!