How many hours does a mouse sleep? - briefly
A mouse generally rests for roughly 12–14 hours each day, mainly during daylight hours. Laboratory observations indicate that this sleep is fragmented into multiple short episodes rather than a single continuous period.
How many hours does a mouse sleep? - in detail
Mice typically rest for a large portion of each 24‑hour cycle. Laboratory observations report an average total sleep time of 12 to 14 hours per day, with some individuals reaching up to 16 hours under low‑stress conditions. Sleep is distributed in short bouts throughout both the light and dark phases, reflecting a polyphasic pattern.
Key factors influencing sleep duration:
- Strain and genetics – Certain inbred strains (e.g., C57BL/6) exhibit slightly longer sleep periods than outbred stock.
- Age – Juvenile mice sleep more (≈15 hours) than adults; senescent animals may show fragmented sleep.
- Light cycle – A 12 h : 12 h light‑dark schedule aligns sleep peaks with the light phase, though nocturnal activity still occurs.
- Environmental stress – Noise, handling, and predator cues reduce total sleep by 10‑20 %.
- Temperature – Ambient temperatures near the thermoneutral zone (30 °C) promote longer sleep bouts.
Electrophysiological studies using EEG/EMG recordings differentiate sleep stages. Approximately 50 % of total sleep time is spent in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, while the remainder is non‑REM (NREM). REM episodes are brief (5‑10 minutes) and occur several times per day; NREM periods are longer, often 20‑30 minutes.
In natural habitats, wild mice display similar overall sleep amounts but with greater variability due to predation risk and food availability. Field data suggest total sleep ranging from 10 to 15 hours, with more frequent interruptions.
Overall, a mouse’s daily rest period averages around half of the day, distributed in multiple short intervals, and is modulated by genetic background, age, environmental conditions, and stress levels.