Snakes: Can They Really Sleep?

[CoolioTiffany]

This questions has always been a come-and-go in my mind. Even though I see my snakes sit there all curled up, not flicking there tongue, and not moving much, I wasn't so sure if they were exactly "sleeping". Since snakes do not have eye lids and cannot shut their eyes, I don't really see how they could sleep and dream (not sure about the dream part, but I think anything that sleeps has got to have some dreams). So, what do you think? Can snakes really sleep, or are they just somewhat dosed off but not really sleeping?

[DutchHerp]

Yes, I'm sure they can sleep.

I've gotten very close to very skittish water snakes (Nerodia) that darted when I touched them. Other than that, I've seen snakes that all of a sudden start shaking their head when they're uncovered.

Later, Matt

[JLC]

This questions has always been a come-and-go in my mind. Even though I see my snakes sit there all curled up, not flicking there tongue, and not moving much, I wasn't so sure if they were exactly "sleeping". Since snakes do not have eye lids and cannot shut their eyes, I don't really see how they could sleep and dream (not sure about the dream part, but I think anything that sleeps has got to have some dreams). So, what do you think? Can snakes really sleep, or are they just somewhat dosed off but not really sleeping?

It might seem a bit alien to us for them to be able to sleep with their eyes open...but just because they don't have the same physiology as we do with regard to eyelids doesn't mean they can't/don't sleep.

Picture this...an alien race comes down to visit the earth and get to know mankind. These aliens have big triangular ears that are very sensitive to sounds. When they sleep, they not only close their eyes, but they fold their ears over and close them up tight as well...to shut out all but the most urgent sounds around them. And they can't understand how human beings can possibly sleep with their ears wide open, able to take in every little sound going on around them.

[Gregg Madden]

Snkae are not capable of sleep in the conventional manner... However they do go into a catatonic like state that they can come out of quickly if need be... As far as we know they do not dream and there are no signs of REM in or any other signs of human type sleep snake at all...