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Could You Sleep in a Tree?

Animals in the wild have clever ways of staying safe while they snooze

By Talia Cowen

From the September 2021 Issue

Lexile: 500L-600L, 800L-900L

Guided Reading Level: Q

Featured Skill: Vocabulary and Grammar,

The Story
Resources

The little koala climbs high into a tree. It tucks its furry little body between two strong branches. It digs its sharp claws into the bark. Then it closes its eyes and goes to sleep for 20 hours.

Sleeping high up in a tree might not sound restful to you. But this koala’s treetop bed helps it stay alive while it dozes. High in the branches, the koala slumbers safely, away from wild dogs that could attack it.

The little koala climbs high into a tree. It tucks its furry little body between two strong branches. It digs its sharp claws into the bark. Then it closes its eyes. It goes to sleep for 20 hours.

Sleeping high up in a tree might not sound restful to you. But this koala’s treetop bed helps it stay alive while it dozes. Up in the branches, the koala slumbers safely. It’s away from wild dogs that could attack it.

iStockPhoto/Getty Images

Otters sometimes hold hands while they sleep.

Koalas aren’t the only animals that have clever tricks for staying safe while they snooze. Some birds take seconds-long naps while they fly. Dolphins and ducks sleep with one eye open. Otters hit the hay wrapped in seaweed so they don’t drift away. Zebras and elephants can sleep standing up, ready to bolt at the first whiff of a lion. And meerkats sleep in big groups, snuggled together in underground tunnels.

Other animals have clever tricks to stay safe while they snooze. Some birds take tiny naps while they fly. Dolphins and ducks sleep with one eye open. Otters hit the hay wrapped in seaweed. Why? So they don’t float away! Zebras and elephants can sleep standing up. They’re ready to bolt at the first whiff of a lion.

Secrets of Sleep

Mitsuyoshi Tatematsu/Nature Production/Minden Pictures

To nap, giraffes rest their heads on their backs.

If sleeping is so dangerous, why do animals even bother? Because almost every living creature—from fruit flies to humans—needs sleep to survive.

While we sleep, our brains recharge, like batteries. Our bodies repair themselves and grow in ways that don’t happen when we’re awake.

We humans need sleep to focus and feel good, and kids need more shut-eye than adults. Babies need to sleep at least 12 hours a day. You should be getting at least nine hours. And of course, you don’t have to climb up into a tree to get your rest. You’re safe in your own cozy bed.

If sleeping is so dangerous, why do animals even bother? Because almost every living creature needs sleep to survive.

While we sleep, our brains recharge, like batteries. Our bodies fix themselves. We grow in ways that don’t happen when we’re awake.

We humans need sleep to focus and feel good. Kids need more shut-eye than adults. Babies need to sleep at least 12 hours a day. You should be getting at least nine hours. And you don’t have to climb up into a tree to get your rest. You’re safe in your own cozy bed.