How Long Do Spiders Sleep?
WouterSpiders sleep for varying periods throughout the day. They need to sleep to conserve energy and maintain a sense of the world around them. They also may need to rest when there is a shortage of food.
Depending on their species, spiders will often sleep in burrows or cocoons. They can sleep for up to 12 hours at a time. Some will sleep upside down, while others will rest with their legs tucked in.
Aside from sleeping, spiders are highly active and aware of their surroundings. They are capable of snapping out of inactivity if they have a chance to hunt prey or to escape from predators.
They have a biological clock that controls their activity levels. This is known as their circadian rhythm. It is a 24-hour cycle that helps them regulate their hormone secretion. When the spider is inactive, it will shut down its metabolic rate.
While many insects and other arthropods share the same sleep patterns, researchers have not yet studied the sleeping habits of spiders. One of the biggest reasons for this is that scientists are not sure whether or not they experience REM sleep.
REM, or rapid eye movement, is a state in which the animal dreams. Some animals are even able to dream while they are asleep. This state is believed to be an extension of short term memory.
However, most scientists do not think that spiders are able to experience REM sleep. Instead, they think that a sleeping spider does not have a movie playing in their heads.
