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For last week’s EleFact, we talked about the hearts of elephants, and we mentioned that their heart rates actually speed up when they are lying down and resting. We often get asked if the elephants here at sanctuary lie down. There’s a misconception that elephants cannot lie down for long periods of time, like when they want to sleep. While it’s true that elephants in the wild get significantly less sleep compared to the elephants here at the sanctuary, it’s not because their weight prevents them from lying down or causes them harm when they sleep. It’s simply because the girls here don’t have to be on guard, aware of dangers, searching for food, or constantly on the move like an elephant in the wild can be. 

Research shows that elephants in the wild are more likely to sleep standing up, saving them the time and energy it would take to pick themselves up off the ground. Mammals lose tone in their skeletal muscles during REM sleep, so for an elephant not in the wild to experience a deeper, REM sleep, it would need to lie down. Elephant legs are in almost complete vertical position under the body, like legs on a table, which provides incredible support. For elephants who sleep standing up, these strong legs help prevent the risk of buckling. 

Of all the elephants at Elephant Sanctuary Brazil, Maia is probably best known for taking standing naps, pretty much any time she takes a notion to. But both she and the rest of the girls do lie down, particularly at night when they know they will be staying in one spot for a few hours. 

P.S.: The video here, taken three years ago, shows Rana napping under a tree when she and Bambi were spending time together. You also get an example of how an elephant stands up from lying down, rocking to help shift their weight in the process.