Reindeer can multitask and chew while they sleep, study shows

The animals combine sleeping and digesting, researchers found after extracting reindeer brain data

If your ceaseless feasting at Christmas leaves you exhausted, it may be worth taking inspiration from reindeer: research suggests the animals can sleep while chewing.

During the summer months, reindeer spend most of their time munching foliage - an important activity given food can be scarce in the winter. However, a study suggests one way they balance their need to digest with the need to sleep is by multitasking.