A koala next to the speech bubble with the text "Could You Sleep in a Tree?"
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Could You Sleep in a Tree?

 Animals have clever ways of staying safe  while they snooze.

By Talia Cowen
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A koala sleeps safely in a tree.

Imagine getting ready for bed. But instead of heading to your room, you climb a tree! That’s what a koala does. It finds two strong branches and digs its sharp claws into the bark. Then it closes its eyes and sleeps for 20 hours.

Sleeping in a tree might not sound comfortable to you. But this treetop bed helps the koala stay alive. High in the branches, the koala snoozes safely. It’s far from wild dogs that could try to attack it.

Other animals also have clever tricks for staying safe while they sleep. Dolphins, ducks, and fruit bats can sleep with one eye open, always on the lookout for danger. Otters wrap themselves in seaweed so they don’t float away. And zebras and elephants can sleep standing up, ready to run at the first sign of trouble.

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.

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.

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An otter prepares to sleep by wrapping itself in seaweed.

Time to Recharge

Secrets of Sleep

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A fruit bat sleeps with one eye open.

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

Humans need sleep to focus and feel good. While we snooze, our brains recharge like batteries. And our bodies grow and repair themselves in ways that can’t happen while we’re awake.

You should be getting at least nine hours of sleep a night. But you don’t have to climb up into a tree to get your rest. You can sleep safely in a cozy bed. 

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.

FACT FINDER

  • WHERE does a koala sleep?
  • WHAT is one way an animal keeps safe while asleep?
  • WHY do humans need sleep?

FACT FINDER

  • WHERE does a koala sleep?
  • WHAT is one way an animal keeps safe while asleep?
  • WHY do humans need sleep?
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Can't Miss Teaching Extras
From the Storyworks 3 Archives

Sleeping in trees isn’t the only clever trick animals use to stay safe. Your students will love learning how some animals use horrible smells to survive in “The Power of Stink,” our September 2017 Mini Read.

Check Out Nature’s Biggest Snoozers

If your students thought sleeping for 20 hours was a long time, they’ll be amazed to learn about how grizzly bears hibernate in “The Fattest Bear in Alaska,” from our March/April 2020 issue.

More About Sleep

For more information on the importance of sleep, direct your students to this helpful guide from KidsHealth.

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