How Long Do Giraffes Sleep?

Giraffes sleep for about 20 minutes per day in the wild, broken up into short segments. They tend to spend the majority of their time eating, hunting for food or allowing the food they have consumed to digest. The main predators of the giraffe are lions and humans, and they stay awake to keep as alert as possible to protect themselves. When a giraffe does sleep, it generally happens during the day while standing with its eyes open, because it is the most vulnerable to attacks when its throat is exposed. Giraffes typically lay down only at night, but it is often more for resting rather than for sleeping.

More about giraffes:

• Newborn giraffes are about 6 feet (1.8 m) tall at birth and usually can run within 24 hours of being born.


• In the wild, about 50% of giraffes are killed by predators within their first year after being born.


• A giraffe’s tongue is about 18 inches (46 cm) long.


• The pattern of a giraffe’s coat is as unique to each individual as a human’s fingerprint.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much sleep do giraffes typically need?

Giraffes require significantly less sleep than humans, typically resting for only about 4.6 hours per day, according to research published in the journal "Ethology." They often take short naps that last a few minutes, which allows them to remain vigilant against predators while still getting the rest they need.

Do giraffes sleep standing up or lying down?

Giraffes can sleep both standing up and lying down. When they take short naps, they often do so standing to quickly escape predators if necessary. However, for deeper sleep, giraffes sometimes lie down with their necks curled back and their heads resting on their hindquarters, although this position is less common and more vulnerable.

What is the longest duration a giraffe will sleep at one time?

The longest sleep duration for a giraffe in one session is usually no more than a few minutes to half an hour. These brief periods of sleep are interspersed throughout the day and night, as giraffes rarely enter deep sleep due to their need to remain alert to potential threats in their environment.

How does the sleep pattern of giraffes compare to other animals?

Giraffes have one of the shortest sleep requirements among mammals. For comparison, cats may sleep for 12-16 hours a day, and humans typically need 7-9 hours. Giraffes' unique sleep patterns are an adaptation to their ecological niche, where staying alert and mobile is crucial for survival.

Are there any differences in sleep patterns between young and adult giraffes?

Young giraffes, or calves, tend to sleep more than adults, requiring more rest for growth and development. Calves may sleep up to a few hours each day in short bursts. As they mature, they gradually adapt to the adult giraffe's pattern of brief and infrequent naps.

Can giraffes experience sleep deprivation, and how does it affect them?

Like most animals, giraffes can experience sleep deprivation, which can lead to decreased alertness and potentially increased vulnerability to predators. However, their bodies are adapted to function on minimal sleep, so short-term sleep loss may not be as detrimental to giraffes as it is to humans or other animals that require more sleep.