Ever wonder how a dolphin sleeps while still swimming? Or how a giraffe sleeps while standing up? Cara Santa Maria, Narrator of Smithsonian Earth's "The Secret World of Animal Sleep" joins Cheddar to explore the wild world of sleeping animals. Marine mammals only shut down half their brain while sleeping, leaving the other half of their body to stay afloat and be alert for prey. She explains how the higher up on the food chain you are, the more sleep you get. That's why prey species like giraffes can only afford mere minutes of sleep at a time, while lions revel in over 20 hours of luxurious slumber a day. Arctic ground squirrels survive harsh Canadian winters through skilled hibernation. Entering a state of controlled hypothermia, their body temperatures drop to 27°F – the lowest ever recorded in a mammal.

Share:
More In Science
The U.S. Blood Shortage and How We Can Flip the Script
The United States has been plagued with a massive blood shortage and is constantly looking for ways to replenish its supply. Cheddar News Correspondent Chloe Aiello spoke to Jennifer McCorry, Business Development Manager at the New York Blood Center, on what it's doing to promote blood donations in NYC.
Winter Storm Packing Snow, Freezing Rain Moves Across U.S.
A major winter storm with millions of Americans in its path brought a mix of rain, freezing rain and snow to the middle section of the United States as airlines canceled hundreds of flights, governors urged residents to stay off roads and schools closed campuses.
Focusing on Fitness Not Figure
Cheddar's Michelle Castillo looks into the changing ideas around weight loss and health at the inclusive gym, Form Fitness, in Brooklyn, New York.
Load More