How can mammalian sleep patterns differ from human sleep stages?

Mammalian sleep patterns can indeed differ significantly from human sleep stages due to the various adaptations that different species have developed to suit their ecological niches, lifestyles, and biological needs. This adaptation is influenced by factors such as predation risk, feeding habits, and reproductive strategies.

For example, some mammals, like marine mammals, have evolved unique methods of sleeping that allow them to maintain some level of consciousness and control over their breathing while remaining vulnerable to predators. These species may sleep with one hemisphere of their brain at a time—a phenomenon known as unihemispheric slow-wave sleep. In contrast, other species may have very short sleep durations or highly fragmented sleep patterns to maximize their survival.

This variety in adaptations highlights how different species exhibit unique sleep architectures, differing not only in the duration and cycles of sleep but also in the physiological and neurological processes that occur during sleep. Thus, the correct answer emphasizes the diversity of sleep adaptations across mammalian species, reflecting their specific needs and environments.