Do Rabbits Sleep with Their Eyes Open? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ
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If you are a new rabbit owner and notice your little bunny sleeping with their eyes open, you might wonder how this is possible. Yes, rabbits truly do sleep with their eyes entirely open sometimes, and the reason why they might do this is to stay alert. This can especially happen in new surroundings or around new, unfamiliar people. Your rabbit may still be learning to trust you, so be patient, and one day you’ll notice your rabbit sleeping with their eyes entirely closed.
How exactly can a rabbit sleep with their eyes open, and why do they exhibit this behavior? Continue reading this article to learn more about this fascinating occurrence.
Rabbit Sleeping Habits
Rabbits are known as crepuscular mammals, meaning they are most active during dawn or dusk. During this time they graze food continuously while being least noticeable by larger predators. Most healthy rabbits sleep between 6 to 12 hours a day, and unlike humans, they don’t sleep in one session but in several rests throughout the day and night.
- Laying straight on their stomach, with the front legs in front or tucked in.
- Laying on their side. This means they are relaxed and not in any danger.
- Laying on their stomach, with both the front legs and back legs tucked inside.
Do Rabbits Sleep with Their Eyes Open?
Certain animals such as mammals and birds exhibit a sleeping pattern known as NREM sleep or non-rapid eye movement. During NREM sleep, these animals may appear entirely awake, but the EEG shows oscillations and increased activity of delta waves, and they are actually entering sleep state.
From a behavioral point, the animal appears awake or is sleeping very lightly, with their eyes wide open, while an EEG shows they are asleep. The reason this sleep activity is strange is that most mammals and birds enter NREM sleep with their eyes open and afterwards enter REM sleep, with closed eyes. Rabbits also tend to sleep with their eyes entirely open, or partially open.
Why Do Rabbits Sleep with Their Eyes Open?
Rabbits sleep with their eyes open because they sleep during the day and need to be on the constant lookout for predators. Most rabbits will sleep with their eyes wide open at some point, which is usually their way of staying alert. This is typically the case with wild rabbits, but if your pet rabbit exhibits the same behavior, it can mean they are still getting to know the new environment and learning to trust you. While rabbits sleep with their eyes open, they have a third eyelid that protects their eyeball. This thin membrane, also known as a nictitating membrane, is translucent and keeps the eyes lubricated and moist. It also allows rabbits to watch their surroundings while protecting them from dirt and debris.
Final Thoughts
After learning about the strange behavior of sleeping with their eyes open, you’ll understand rabbits much better. Rabbits in the wild had to be alert of the predators at all times, so they developed a method of sleeping while being able to view their surroundings. Since rabbits are crepuscular and sleep during the day and night, they need to be aware of their surroundings and act quickly when they feel in danger.
Featured Image Credit: Prapon Srinakara, Shutterstock
