By: Jason Gerber

Did you know animals can teach us a lot about getting a good night’s sleep? Koalas snooze in trees and dolphins keep one’s eye open. Animals have developed amazing sleeping habits that help them stay healthy and safe. And guess what? You can use these fun animal facts to build your perfect bedtime routine.

Let’s take a look at how some animals sleep and what we can learn from them.

Koalas and Sloths: Need Lots of Rest 

Koalas and sloths are the champions of sleep. Koalas can sleep up to 22 hours daily, and sloths aren’t far behind with 15-20 hours of snoozing daily. These animals need plenty of rest because their diets (mostly leaves) don’t give them much energy. Sleeping helps them conserve what little energy they have.

While humans don’t need to sleep much, we need a good amount of rest to recharge our bodies and minds. Just like koalas and sloths, getting enough sleep helps us feel energized and ready for the day. So, next time you’re tired, remember even koalas and sloths take long naps to stay healthy and strong.

Flamingos’ One-Legged Nap

Flamingos are famous for their balance, especially when they sleep. These pink birds often nap while standing on just one leg, keeping the other tucked up under their bodies. It helps them stay warm and conserve energy. When one leg is out of the cold water, it stays cozy, even while sleeping.

What can we learn from flamingos? It’s important to find balance in our own lives, too. A healthy bedtime routine is all about balance. Getting enough rest, relaxing before bed, and ensuring you’re comfortable. Like flamingos, we need to create a cozy, balanced environment for sleep. You may not need to stand on one leg, but a comfy bed and a peaceful routine can help you fall asleep more easily!

Dolphins and Birds: One Eye Open

Did you know that dolphins and some birds sleep with one eye open? It might sound strange, but it’s their way of staying safe while getting some rest. Dolphins, for example, must come up to the surface for air, so half of their brain remains awake to ensure they don’t forget. Birds do something similar, keeping one eye open to watch for danger while they sleep.

Safety and relaxation go hand in hand. Like dolphins and birds, we need to ensure our sleep space feels safe and comfortable. Whether it’s a nightlight, your favorite blanket, or just making sure your room is cozy, feeling safe helps us sleep better. So, while we don’t need to keep one eye open like our animal friends, creating a comfortable and secure bedtime space is essential.

Conclusion

From the long naps of koalas and sloths to the balanced sleeping style of flamingos, animals have mastered the art of sleep. By learning from them, we can create our awesome bedtime routines. Whether finding the right balance like a flamingo or ensuring your bedroom is a safe, cozy spot like a dolphin’s ocean home, sleep is critical to staying happy, healthy, and full of energy.

Want to know more amazing animal sleep habits and learn how to sleep like your favorite wild creatures? Purchase Sleep Like an Animal by Sara Libi Scribens! This fun and beautifully illustrated book contains sleepy-time stories that will inspire your bedtime routine.

Published By: Aize Perez