That is, ostriches periodically entered a REM sleep state characterized by rapid eye movements and reduced muscle tone however, instead of an EEG consisting only of REM sleep-related activation, the EEG would flip between waves of the two sleep states.īecause ostriches have some activation during REM sleep, such ancient birds may be further along the sequence of evolutionary steps towards ‘classical’ REM sleep than are monotremes. Remarkably, the brain activity of sleeping ostriches was reminiscent of that observed in sleeping monotremes. They equipped six females originating from an ostrich farm in Free State in South Africa with electrodes in order to measure brain activity using EEG, as well as eye movements and muscle tone. In collaboration with Universities in South Africa, Western Australia, and Switzerland as well as with the organization Ornis Italica, Rattenborg and Lesku conducted the first study of sleep in an “early” bird, the ostrich. Like mammals, birds also engage in SWS and REM sleep, but until now it has been unknown if birds share a similar pattern of sleep evolution to the one inferred for mammals. However, signs of ‘classical’ REM sleep such as rapid eye movements and reduced muscle tone have been observed in platypuses. For instance, while marsupial and placental mammals, including ourselves, engage in SWS and REM sleep, echidnas and platypuses – members of the most “ancient” group of living mammals, the monotremes – show only deep sleep patterns in the EEG. Unfortunately the brain activity that defines these states does not fossilize, so in order to study how these states evolved one must study living animals as representatives for extinct forms. “Understanding how SWS and REM sleep evolved might provide insight into their function”, says Rattenborg. But how did these states come to be? That is the question the two Max Planck researchers sought to answer. REM sleep is also associated with rapid eye movements and reduced muscle tone. Deep sleep or slow wave sleep (SWS) is characterized by large, slow waves in the EEG, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep as small, fast waves, an activated pattern similar to that occurring during wakefulness. We hear his mother’s voice off-camera say “Pierce wake up! Pierce! Well, I guess it speaks for itself.Birds and most mammals engage in two types of sleep that are distinguishable from one another by brain wave patterns measured via the electroencephalogram (EEG). The video continues to show kids hugging and dancing with their Pillow Pets, until the last frame of the video which shows Pierce, who is still sleeping soundly on his Jumbo Eeyore Pillow Pet. It’s for you! It’s a Pillow Pet! Not for the pets, either. Third kid’s response: “Nobody likes sleeping, but this just makes me want to sleep.”įourth kid’s response: “Whenever I want to go on a car trip, I always ask if I can bring my unicorn because she’s so fluffy, and I can always nap on her whenever I want.”įifth kid’s response: “It’s not a parent pillow, ok? So don’t let your parents use it. Second kid’s response: “I always snuggle with her because I’m always so scared of the dark, so I’m always like.” and the little girl gives the Pillow Pet a huge hug.” Second question: How do Pillow Pets help you sleep?įirst kid’s response: “It’s very cozy, so it just reminds me of home.” Pierce is currently snoozing on a Pillow Pet and has decided to answer our questions at a later time. Third kid’s response: “They’re soft, portable, cleanable! They keep memories, not stains! So if I got a stain on it, just pop it in the washing machine, and then boom it’s ready.”įourth kid’s response: “I would be able to just fold it up and store it really easily in, like, my backpack or my suitcase.”įifth kid’s response: Actually, Pierce can’t respond. It's a Pillow Pet! It has silky soft plush fabric.” Second kid’s response: “It’s not one of those regular pillows. This video asks a group of kids several questions about Pillow Pets.įirst question: Why is everyone raving about Pillow Pets?įirst kid’s response: “So a Pillow Pet is almost like a pet, except you can also use it as a pillow.” Pillow Pets! “It’s a Pillow, It’s a Pet, It’s a Pillow Pet!”
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