How Much Does a Rat Sleep?
WouterDespite what you may think, rats sleep a lot, and they sleep deep. This means that you should avoid trying to wake them up during their sleep, as this can result in a nasty bite. Rats have very different sleep schedules than humans do, and it is possible that they’ll be awake during the day, but will be sleepy at night.
Rats sleep on and off throughout the day, often napping for up to four hours at a time. They can also wake up to groom themselves or play. Although their sleep time may be shorter than a human, it is still important to keep the schedule consistent for your rat. A pet rat should be fed every evening, and it should sleep for a minimum of four hours.
Rats’ sleep time is determined by recording the duration of sleep and the duration of wakefulness. Rats’ sleep times follow a simple exponential distribution, though they can vary between individuals. Whether a rat is awake for a short time or a long time is unknown, but defining the duration of each period would help scientists understand what factors control the length of sleep in rats.
Since rats are nocturnal, their sleep habits are influenced by their internal clock. They typically wake up during the morning or when their owner comes home from work. During the night, they will sleep in a more relaxed position. Because rats prefer to be around their fellow rats, they tend to sleep in a group with their peers. They also tend to sleep less if they are alone. Unlike humans, rats are unlikely to sleep under the stars, but they do require a place to sleep.
