How long do field mice sleep? - briefly
Field mice usually rest for about 12–14 hours each day, divided into multiple short episodes. Their sleep pattern is fragmented, occurring both during daylight and nighttime periods.
How long do field mice sleep? - in detail
Field mice, specifically the common meadow species (e.g., Apodemus sylvaticus), typically rest between 10 and 14 hours each day. Their sleep is distributed across multiple short bouts rather than a single continuous period.
- Circadian pattern: Activity peaks at dusk and dawn; the majority of rest occurs during daylight hours.
- Bout length: Individual sleep episodes last 30 minutes to 2 hours, with brief awakenings for foraging or predator vigilance.
- Seasonal variation: In winter, when food is scarce and temperatures drop, total rest can rise to 16 hours, while summer days may see a reduction to around 9 hours.
- Physiological factors: Metabolic rate, body temperature regulation, and hormonal cycles (e.g., melatonin) influence the length and frequency of sleep periods.
Laboratory studies using EEG recordings confirm that field mice exhibit both rapid eye movement (REM) and non‑REM sleep, with REM comprising roughly 15 % of total sleep time. Environmental stressors such as habitat disturbance or predator presence can truncate sleep bouts and increase wakefulness.
Overall, the species maintains a flexible sleep schedule that balances energy conservation with the need for constant environmental monitoring.