Animal field note
Standing dreamer
Giraffe Catnap
A giraffe may sleep for only a few minutes at a time, adding up to less than an hour of rest a day.
Let's look closer
How can something so big rest so little?
iraffes stay alert for lions and other dangers on the wide-open savanna, where there's nowhere to hide a body that tall. So instead of one long, deep sleep, they take many tiny naps throughout the day and night, sometimes standing, sometimes lying down with their long neck curled gently against their side. Even in that rare curled position, a giraffe keeps its naps short, ready to spring back onto its feet at the very first sign of danger.
Look for this
Explorer clue
If you ever see a giraffe resting, notice how quickly its eyes blink open again, ready to watch the horizon.
Your turn to wonder
Curiosity question
What would it feel like to dream for just a few minutes at a time, all through the day?
Keep wandering
