Chinstrap Penguins' special way of taking very short naps many times a day.

New parents face the challenge of getting enough sleep while caring for their newborns, a challenge that even applies to some penguins, according to researchers. Penguins, specifically chinstrap penguins, take thousands of mini-catnaps throughout the day to remain alert while guarding their eggs and chicks in the noisy, crowded colonies of Antarctica.

These penguins manage to get about 11 hours of sleep per day through short microsleeps lasting only about four seconds at a time. Despite the short duration of each nap, these sleeping patterns seem to be sufficient for the penguins to stay energized and care for their offspring.

The sleeping behavior of chinstrap penguins was studied by scientists who attached sensors to them to measure brain waves in an Antarctic breeding colony. This research was inspired by observations of breeding penguins that appeared to be dozing off with frequent blinking.

The study suggests that microsleeps have restorative functions for the penguins, allowing them to endure the demanding conditions of their breeding season. However, it's not known if these fragmented sleeping patterns offer the same benefits as longer, uninterrupted sleep, or if other penguin species have similar sleep habits.

Other animals, like frigatebirds and northern elephant seals, have also developed unique sleeping adaptations to meet their survival needs. The phenomenon of microsleeps among chinstrap penguins is considered a remarkable adaptation for maintaining vigilance in their challenging environment.