媒体英语 Mysteries of elephant sleep revealed 科学家揭开大象的睡眠模式之谜

Play audio file 文字稿 一项研究表明，非洲野象是睡眠时间最短的哺乳动物。一组科学家在非洲南部国家博茨瓦纳追踪记录了两只大象在自然环境中的睡眠规律。在动物园中笼养的大象每天睡四到六个小时，然而生活在野外的大象只休息两个小时，大多在夜晚入睡。请听 Helen Briggs 的报道。

Scientists tracked two elephants roaming across Botswana to find out more about the animals' sleeping habits. Elephants in captivity sleep for four to six hours a day, but it's always been suspected this might be different in the wild.

In fact, in their natural surroundings, the elephants slept for only two hours, mainly at night. The elephants, both matriarchs of the herd, sometimes stayed awake for days at a time, and they travelled long distances, perhaps to escape lions or poachers. And they only went into rapid eye movement or 'dreaming sleep' every three or four days.

Sleep plays a big role in memory. It's a mystery why an animal known for its incredible memory powers can survive on power naps alone.

词汇表 roaming 漫步，闲逛

in captivity （动物）被笼养

natural surroundings 自然环境

matriarchs （兽群中的）母系首领

herd 兽群，文中指象群

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