How Long Rats Sleep
WouterWe don’t know exactly how long rats sleep, but they spend an average of 15 hours a day sleeping. They have a lower metabolic rate than humans, so they need more time to regenerate. A recent study looked at how much time lab rats spent sleeping in a 12-hour period between 8am and 8pm.
The length of time a rat sleeps is determined by several factors. Rats that are socially grouped may sleep less than a lone rat. This may be due to socialization, while a lone rat may sleep longer for a variety of reasons. In any case, it is important not to startle a rat while it is asleep, because it may bite you or wake you up.
Rats are polyphasic sleepers, so studying sleep in rats is challenging. This kinetic patterning of vigilance states can interfere with neurobiological models of sleep control. In contrast, humans are monophasic sleepers, so the factors controlling sleep episodes are likely similar. However, studying sleep in rats can help us develop a better understanding of how the brain works, and we can improve our understanding of the way animals’ minds work.
Because rats have poor eyesight, they cannot see well in the daytime. They have to rely on other senses to determine where they’re safe. This makes them sleep during the day, while they stay active during the night. The main advantage of this behavior is that it reduces the risk of being spotted by predators.
