From an evolutionary perspective, how did our species evolve to have derp sleep for long hours? I understand that sleeping conserves energy, but it would also make humans vulnerable to predators and not getting killed should take priority over saving energy
In: Biology
All animals do. It seems to be essential for the healthy functioning of our brains to have inactive time – time that some studies have shown is necessary for neurons to be able to form new memories and proper function.
It seems to be common to all animals, though some animals have evolved an ability to send one half of their brains to sleep at a time
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unihemispheric_slow-wave_sleep](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unihemispheric_slow-wave_sleep)
Chances are IMO we did not evolve that need because we have evolved intelligence and communicative language to teach others e.g. to stand watch over the tribe on the lookout for danger. That sort of thing.
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