Why do baby owls sleep flat (7 photos)

You can find plenty of photos online of adorable baby owls sleeping flat out. Why do these chicks sleep so strangely?





One prevailing theory: baby owls sleep so strangely because they have disproportionately large and heavy heads!



The owlet is sleeping, developing.

Sounds more than logical. All vertebrate babies are born with altered body proportions. They typically have a large, heavy head and a small torso with relatively long limbs.





After a hard day's work.

It's quite obvious that a disproportionately large head changes the center of gravity, and supporting it is very difficult for a baby's weak neck muscles.



Adult owls usually sleep sitting up. The ligaments in their feet are designed to allow them to rest almost without expending energy. But in the nest, even adult birds can truly lie down.

But if you dig a little deeper, it quickly becomes clear that well-developed neck muscles are paramount for chicks. After all, to escape from the egg, the babies must independently break through the strong shell designed for protection. This is the very first test in a chick's life, and those who fail to pass it simply will not survive. Therefore, even newborn owls have strong necks and are able to support their heads on their shoulders.



Boss, when's lunch?

And the older the owlet, the stronger its muscles. Muscles not only grow as the body develops, but they are also actively used – they are necessary for begging for food from adults. Therefore, even if they can't hold their necks up in the first few days after hatching, this problem quickly resolves itself.



Pump up your necks, little ones.

The reason for these strange sleeping positions in owlets is completely different, although it is also related to the general characteristics of vertebrate babies. The reason is that babies tire too easily. Their metabolism is fast, faster than that of adults, but most of their energy is spent on supporting rapid growth. At the same time, their brains are not yet able to calculate the body's energy reserves. Therefore, human babies, kittens, and owlets, fall asleep at the most random moments. They don't have the time or attention span to even find a comfortable position. Especially if they feel safe and confident that no one will bother them!



Crossed. Hard.