Jumping Spiders Show Two Sleep Stages, One Like REM

WHO:

Science Daily - Researchers at the University of Bonn studied the Australian jumping spider *Portia fimbriata*.

Phys.org - Researchers from the Institute of Organismic Biology at the University of Bonn investigated sleep in the Australian jumping spider *Portia fimbriata*.

WHAT:

Science Daily - Researchers found evidence that the spiders have regulated sleep with distinct stages, including a REM-like stage marked by eye movements and muscle twitches.

Science Daily - The article says the findings suggest spiders may sleep in ways similar to humans and may have a dream-like state.

Phys.org - The study investigated whether spiders have a sleep state similar to vertebrate REM sleep.

Phys.org - The work was published in the journal *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*.

WHERE:

Science Daily - The study focused on the Australian jumping spider *Portia fimbriata*.

Phys.org - Researchers conducted the investigation at the University of Bonn.

WHY:

Science Daily - The researchers investigated the spiders’ sleep, including whether it includes stages resembling human sleep.

HOW:

Science Daily - Researchers recorded the spiders over several days and nights and observed eye movements and muscle twitches during the REM-like stage.

Phys.org - The article describes vertebrate REM sleep as involving rapid eye movements and muscle twitches.

(UPDATED October 27, 2026 13:26 UTC)

Researchers at the University of Bonn found evidence that Australian jumping spiders have regulated sleep with distinct stages, including one resembling REM sleep. After recording the spiders over several days and nights, they observed eye movements and muscle twitches during this stage. The findings suggest spiders may have a dream-like state, and the study was published in *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*.