Comments on: Ostriches sleep like platypuses (and look wide awake when they do)

By: Stan

Stan — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 08:18:25 +0000

I love the video. Wish it were longer! It’s fascinating how they flip so quickly and unpredictably between states, almost like in a computer game.

By: Tk

Tk — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 01:54:12 +0000

The ostrich SWS technique would be so useful for meetings and lectures.

By: Zach Miller

Zach Miller — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 20:08:29 +0000

I have a buddy who sleeps with his eyes open while simultaneously snoring like a chainsaw. It’s really creepy.

By: brooks

brooks — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 20:07:31 +0000

@donK, both mammalian and reptilian/bird lineages have separately evolved advanced problem-solving abilities using vastly different brains. mightn’t they do the same where sleep is concerned? couldn’t natural selection follow similar pathways even in completely different organisms?

By: Cleo

Cleo — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 17:55:15 +0000

Interesting blog, learn something new everyday!

By: donK

donK — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 15:07:43 +0000

I would expect convergent evolution to represent new traits gained separately and not “an early stage in the evolution”.

By: Ed Yong

Ed Yong — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:54:16 +0000

Yes. I wasn’t implying otherwise.

By: donK

donK — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:52:02 +0000

Given the amount of time separating their common ancestor from the first mammals and the first birds, wouldn’t convergent evolution be more likely?

By: Ed Yong

Ed Yong — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:45:34 +0000

How emusing. You two are rheal cards.

By: brooks

brooks — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:39:48 +0000

@Chris, it could also mean that ostriches are part-your-wife :p