The giraffe has one of the shortest sleep requirements of any mammal.

Giraffes sleep between ten minutes and two hours in a 24-hour period, averaging about 2 hours per day.

Since an adult giraffe would make a good supper for a lion on the African plain, they’ve evolved some very interesting sleep patterns.

When they sleep deeply, it’s only for a few minutes at a time, and even then, they don’t add up to very much.

The rest of the time, giraffes may catnap lightly now and again, but their ears are still perked and listening for predators.

When a giraffe does lie down for resting, it will usually rest its neck on its rump, a log, or some other prop so that its head always stays elevated.

These giraffes are lying down on the job.