Humans Aren’t the Only Animals That Sleep to Outdoor Sounds - Northern Michigan Animal Sleeping Habits
3 Min Read
By Bea Putman 12/12/24
Many of the relaxing nature sounds recorded on Sol Good Media are captured straight from the heart of Northern Michigan, perfect for calming your mind and soothing your sleep. Northern Michigan is a heavily wooded area with natural forests lining nearly every back road and freshwater around every corner.
According to the Michigan Water Stewardship Program website, “in Michigan, you are never more than 6 miles away from some kind of water.” Whether it be a river, lake, or one of the Great Lakes—which are so vast they can be seen from space—you are surrounded by water. Because of this abundance of freshwater sources, the region’s natural ecosystems can support a wide variety of wildlife species that all need to sleep. This short, fun article offers a knowledgeable outline of the sleeping habits of a few Michigan creatures.
Mallard Duck
Image 1: A flying Mallard Duck from the American Bird Conservancy.
Ducks are as active at night as they are in the day. They tend to pepper-in naps throughout their busy lives of preening, courting, and daily maintenance, often loafing and tucking their bills under their wings. If migration movements need to be made, they are likely done at night, shortly after sunset. A Mallard Duck may sleep about 10 hours a day on or near a body of water, accompanied by the sounds of rippling water, waves on the shore, breeze in the trees, and the gentle coos of other waterfowl. To experience the ambiance these ducks enjoy, listen to our Northern Michigan water sounds.
Painted Turtle
Image 2: A painted turtle stretching in the sun from Michigan in Pictures - WordPress.com.
Painted turtles are known to sleep entirely submerged at the bottom of a pond or partially submerged on a rock or branch. They rest for 4-7 hours per night and enjoy basking in the sunshine during the day. According to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s research, freshwater turtles can actually hear better underwater than in the air, an amazing quality for our amphibious friends. During the winter, painted turtles can be found hibernating at the bottom of their lake or pond until the ice melts away, quietly sleeping to the subtle underwater hush that you can also hear in our recordings.
White-Tailed Deer
Image 3: A white-tailed deer in a wintry forest from Britannica.
Michigan’s state animal, the White-Tailed Deer, has its own unique sleeping habits. During the daytime, deer sleep in heavier cover than at night, often bedding down on the ground and curling up for warmth. When it’s cold, they tuck their snouts beneath their hind legs. Deer alternate between dozing and alert periods—their ears never truly lower, and they can wake up from the slightest sound. To put their keen hearing into numbers, deer can hear upwards of 54,000 hertz, whereas humans at best can hear up to 20,000 hertz. Imagine having that level of auditory sensitivity while immersing yourself in the subtle forest sounds of Northern Michigan!
Sources:
Ducks.org
Painted Turtle Info
Freshwater Turtle Hearing
Deer Hearing
Deer Sleeping Info