Time for a nap? Chinstrap penguins survive on 10,000 microsleeps a day

Penguins are sleeping only seconds at a time - but thousands of times a day - according to a new study published in the journal Science. Researchers say chinstrap penguins, who look like they're wearing helmets, have adapted their sleep pattern to their high-stress environment.

Chinstrap Penguin - with chick. (Pygoscelis antarcticus) (AAP/Mary Evans/Ardea/M. Watson) | NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY Credit: M. Watson / ardea.com/MARY EVANS

Penguins in Antarctica have evolved an unusual sleeping strategy to manage the constant demands of parenting.

For the first time, scientists have measured the sleeping behaviour of adult chinstrap penguins in the wild by attaching sensors that measure brain waves.

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