Evie Summers
Walruses are fascinating creatures that can sleep in water and on land. They are semi-aquatic mammals and the only extant representative of the family Odobenidae. On average, they sleep for 19.4 to 20.5 hours per day, with longer sleep periods on land. When sleeping in the water, they usually lie at the bottom, float along the surface, or lean against something while standing. Walruses can even hook their tusks onto an ice floe and sleep that way. They can go for days without sleep, swimming for up to 84 hours before needing rest.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average sleep time per day | Between 19.4 and 20.5 hours |
| Sleep location | On land or in water |
| Sleep position in water | Lying at the bottom, floating along the surface, or leaning against something in a standing position |
| Sleep duration on land vs. in water | Longer on land |
| Sleep cycle | Similar to Otariidae seals on land and Phocidae seals in water |
| Sleep posture on land | Lying on belly |
| Breathing pattern during sleep | Regular during slow-wave sleep, irregular during paradoxical sleep |
| Sleep cycle duration | Between 40 and 118 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
- Walruses can sleep in water and on land, but they sleep longer on land
- They can sleep while floating at the surface, standing, or lying at the bottom of the sea/pool
- They can hook their tusks onto an ice floe and sleep that way
- Walruses can go days without sleep, swimming for up to 84 hours before needing rest
- They sleep for between 19.4 to 20.5 hours per day
Walruses can sleep in water and on land, but they sleep longer on land
A study on four 1.5-2-year-old captive walruses found that they slept longer on land, with 40-74% of their time spent asleep while on land, compared to 88-99% of their time spent awake in the water. Another study on a 2-year-old female walrus found that it slept for 6 hours per day on land and 4.6 hours per day in the water. When sleeping in the water, walruses usually lie at the bottom, float along the surface, or lean against something while in a standing position. They can even hook their tusks onto an ice floe and sleep that way.
Walruses can go for days without sleep, and they can swim for up to 84 hours before needing to rest.
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They can sleep while floating at the surface, standing, or lying at the bottom of the sea/pool
Walruses can sleep in a variety of positions, depending on their surroundings. In the water, they can sleep while floating at the surface, standing, or lying at the bottom of the sea/pool.
Walruses are known to sleep in the water by floating motionlessly at the surface, with their nostrils held above or immersed in the water. They can also sleep while standing in a shallow area, with their head above the water, or by leaning against the pool wall. In addition, they can sleep by lying on the bottom of the pool, remaining motionless and invisible.
Walruses have been observed sleeping in various positions, including floating vertically with their heads above water, which is made possible by their pharyngeal pouches. These air sacs, located on either side of the walrus's oesophagus, can hold up to 13 gallons (50 litres) of air and enable the walrus to bob up and down in the water. This floating position is also used by female walruses when nursing their young, as it allows them to nurse upside down while the calf remains above water.
The ability to sleep in the water is an important adaptation for walruses, as they spend a significant amount of their time in the sea. They mate, give birth, and nurse their young in the water, and they can spend up to two-thirds of their lives at sea.
In addition to sleeping in the water, walruses can also sleep on land. They are known to sleep while lying on their bellies and typically do so during the nighttime.
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They can hook their tusks onto an ice floe and sleep that way
Walruses can sleep in a variety of ways, including lying at the bottom of a pool of water, floating along the surface, or leaning against something while standing. They can also hook their tusks onto an ice floe and sleep that way.
Walruses can sleep in water by using their pharyngeal pouches, which are located on either side of the oesophagus. These are essentially expandable elastic pockets that can hold up to 13 gallons of air. When filled, these pouches enable walruses to bob up and down vertically, keeping their heads above water.
In one study, a walrus was observed sleeping in water for 7.5% of the observation time. The majority (69%) of this sleep occurred while the walrus was standing, leaning with its chest against the wall. The remaining sleep occurred while the walrus was floating motionlessly at the surface (18%) or lying on the bottom of the pool (13%).
In another study, a walrus was found to sleep predominantly while submerged and lying on the bottom of a pool (89% of total sleep time). The walrus usually woke up while emerging to the surface for breathing.
Walruses can sleep in unusual positions outside of water, too. In 2021, a walrus that had likely fallen asleep on an iceberg in the Arctic drifted off and woke up in Ireland, thousands of miles away.
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Walruses can go days without sleep, swimming for up to 84 hours before needing rest
Walruses are fascinating creatures with some unique sleeping habits. While they can sleep both on land and in water, they tend to sleep longer on land. On average, a walrus sleeps for 19.4 to 20.5 hours per day, and they can even go days without sleep. In fact, they are known to swim for up to 84 hours before needing to rest.
Walruses have developed behavioural and physiological adaptations that allow them to sleep in their semi-aquatic environment. They are the only extant representative of the family Odobenidae, and their sleep patterns resemble those of both eared and true seals. Walruses can sleep while floating on the surface, lying at the bottom, or leaning against something in a standing position. They can even hook their tusks onto an ice floe and sleep that way!
A study on the sleep patterns of walruses revealed that they spend most of their sleep time submerged and lying on the bottom of a pool. They usually wake up when they emerge to the surface for breathing. Walruses also display interhemispheric EEG asymmetry, where one eye briefly opens while the other remains closed during slow-wave sleep. This may be related to their need to monitor their environment for predators or social interactions.
The ability of walruses to go for extended periods without sleep may be an adaptation to their aquatic environment. They need to migrate to and from feeding grounds, and the nature of the water, with its tides, waves, currents, and storms, may not always provide ideal sleeping conditions. Additionally, the absence of stable sleeping sites may contribute to their ability to reduce or eliminate sleep for a few days.
So, the next time you feel tired, just remember the walrus that can swim for up to 84 hours without rest!
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They sleep for between 19.4 to 20.5 hours per day
Walruses are known to sleep for long periods, and their sleep patterns depend on various factors, such as age, body size, environment, diet, and the safety of their sleeping site. On average, a walrus sleeps between 19.4 to 20.5 hours per day. This extended sleep duration is comparable to that of bats, which sleep for about 20 hours daily.
The sleep habits of walruses are influenced by their environment and the availability of resources. For instance, they can sleep in water and on land, but they tend to sleep longer when they are on land. When in water, walruses exhibit remarkable adaptability, sleeping while floating on the surface, lying at the bottom, or assuming a standing position by leaning against something. Their ability to sleep in water is facilitated by their thick blubber layer and air sacs, which help them float.
The sleeping patterns of walruses also demonstrate their resilience. They can go for extended periods without sleep, similar to elephants, and have been observed swimming continuously for up to 84 hours. This extraordinary stamina is likely an adaptation to their aquatic environment, where they must contend with factors such as tides, waves, currents, and the need to migrate to feeding grounds.
The sleep behaviour of walruses is a fascinating aspect of their biology, showcasing their ability to thrive in challenging environments.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, walruses need sleep. They sleep between 19.4 to 20.5 hours per day.
Walruses can sleep in the water by floating motionlessly at the surface, standing in a shallow area with their head above the water, or lying on the bottom of a pool. They can also hook their tusks onto an ice floe and sleep that way.
Walruses sleep for longer periods on land. When in water, they are predominantly awake.
Walruses sleep by lying on their belly. They sleep more at night than during the day.
No, but they can sleep standing up.
