Virginia dairy farmer Coley Drinkwater isn't sure how the snoozing myth began but it's one she can debunk: cows do not sleep standing up. “No,” she says, “cows sleep laying down.”

What animals sleep standing up?

Horses, Zebras and Elephants can sleep standing up. This is because they are 'prey' animals, and need to remain alert in case they are attacked.

What do cows sleep on?

Farmers use a variety of materials for cow bedding, from sand to sawdust and shredded paper. The material is usually chosen for its comfort factor and availability. On Charles's farm, a different material is used. Cow poo is collected and recycled into a pulp, that's used for bedding the cows.