Last updated on May 31st, 2023 at 05:53 am
Guinea pigs have a variety of habits when it comes to feeding, playing, and sleeping.
Do many future guinea pig owners wonder if their pets will sleep with their eyes open or closed?
The answer is that guinea pigs sleep with their eyes open. Guinea pigs sleep with their eyes open because survival in the wild has adapted them to this habit. When they sleep with their eyes open, guinea pigs have a better chance of escaping from the predators that attack them.
In today’s article, you will learn in more detail why guinea pigs sleep with their eyes open and many other related matters.
Why do guinea pigs sleep with their eyes open?
Guinea pigs sleep with their eyes open to be safer and more protected from predators. When in the wild, guinea pigs are often prey to other animals because of their size.
When they sleep with their eyes open, they have the advantage of not being caught by predators, they may not always be able to escape, but they are much more likely to save their lives.
If guinea pigs sleep with their eyes closed, they will not be able to see the danger approaching, and their lives will be in trouble.
Do guinea pigs sleep with their eyes open when in a cage?
Yes, guinea pigs sleep with their eyes open when in their cage.
You probably wonder why this happens when they are entirely safe, when they are in a cage or when you are in their presence?
The simple answer is that guinea pigs’ sleep with their eyes open is a habit that can not be changed; they will always sleep with their eyes open no matter where they are.
Whether guinea pigs do not live in the wild, their precautionary instincts will always be present, so as owners, we will have to get used to their way of sleeping.
What are the benefits if guinea pigs sleep with their eyes open?
The most significant advantage that guinea pigs have when they sleep with their eyes open is that many predators that want to attack them will give up the attack.
Predators usually sleep with their eyes closed so that the open eyes of guinea pigs will deceive them and think that they are awake.
Sometimes, some predators will give up attacking the guinea pig because they usually like to attack animals that sleep with their eyes closed, so their chances of success are higher.
When predators notice that your pet’s eyes are open, they will not immediately attack or approach gradually, allowing the guinea pigs to spot them and run and save their lives.
Other sleeping habits of guinea pigs?
In addition to sleeping with their eyes open, guinea pigs have other interesting habits that you should know if you want to keep a guinea pig.
Before introducing these habits, let’s say that they are related to their survival, i.e., their sleeping habits, in order to be able always to be aware of a potential danger to their lives.
Guinea pigs have an easy sleep
Guinea pigs have an easy sleep, so they can always be wary of the danger of potential predators.
The guinea pig can wake up very quickly, a small noise is enough to interrupt its sleep.
So do not be upset if you inadvertently wake your pet with some of your movements because they will always wake up to the slightest sounds, noises, or something similar.
Guinea pigs sleep at short intervals
Guinea pigs, unlike humans, sleep in a completely different way at short intervals.
We will again emphasize that in that way, they have a better idea of everything happening around them and protect themselves from possible predators.
Guinea pigs sleep at intervals of 10-30 minutes, sometimes less and sometimes a little more, but it is their bedtime. They sleep several times a day, and finally, when all the intervals are added up, the total sleep is between 5-6 hours in one day.
As guinea pigs get older, they sleep more than young guinea pigs, which is expected because older guinea pigs need more rest to have more energy for the rest of the day.
Guinea pigs are most active early in the morning and evening
Guinea pigs are crepuscular, they are most often active at dawn or dusk.
Moving at these times of the day allows them to escape from potential predators, which in low light will not be able to sneak in and attack them quickly.
Of course, although they are most active during these periods, this does not mean they are not active the rest of the day; they move throughout the day.
Do guinea pigs ever sleep with their eyes closed?
Yes, guinea pigs sometimes but rarely close their eyes from time to time when they are asleep.
Guinea pigs sometimes close their eyes when they are asleep, at times when they are too tired, or if they are relaxed in the environment in which they are.
Your furry friends can close their eyes when they sleep and when they feel safe next to their owner, which is a sign of trust and security, which should make you especially happy.
read more: Do Guinea Pigs Sleep? (Find Out Now)
How do we know when a guinea pig sleeps with its eyes open?
We all ask a very interesting question because we do not know if our pet is looking at us or sleeping.
To know that a guinea pig sleeps even though its eyes are open, a few signs indicate this, and you need to know them.
Here are some of them:
- they sleep when it is dark
- when they are very calm
- when their whiskers or ears move
- when they have rapid eye movements
If you notice these signs, be as quiet as you can because your pet is asleep at that moment, even though his eyes are open.
read more: Can Guinea Pigs Jump?
Conclusion
Guinea pigs sleep with their eyes open because when they are in the wild, this habit saves their lives from predators.
Guinea pigs can sometimes close their eyes when they are asleep if they feel very safe in their environment, but this is a very rare situation, most often their eyes are open.
Your pets sleep at small intervals of 10-30 minutes, and a total of 5-6 hours during the day.
Guinea pigs can be seen sleeping with their eyes open when they are very calm, with moving whiskers and ears, or with rapid eye movements.
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