The Unique , Sleeping Habits , of Whales.
'Newsweek' reports that whales,
being aquatic mammals, require both
sleep and oxygen in order to survive. .
It's an interesting dilemma
for wholly aquatic air-breathers, Naomi Rose, Marine Mammal Scientist at the Animal
Welfare Institute, via 'Newsweek'.
To deal with living in the water full-time,
while having to breathe air at the surface,
they have evolved into voluntary breathers,
as a way to prevent accidentally inhaling
water at inopportune moments, Naomi Rose, Marine Mammal Scientist at the Animal
Welfare Institute, via 'Newsweek'.
Depending on the species, of which
there are around 90 different kinds, whales
can hold their breath for about an hour. .
However, 'Newsweek' reports, whales
usually surface for air every 15 minutes. .
This means that whales
sleep in a very different
way than other mammals. .
Naomi Rose, Marine Mammal Scientist at the Animal
Welfare Institute, explains that cetaceans, which
include whales, dolphins and porpoises, would
drown if they became fully unconscious. .
They continue to swim, slowly and regularly—in tight synchronous formation for social cetaceans—occasionally floating still for a few seconds, up to a couple of minutes, perhaps, often very near the surface, Naomi Rose, Marine Mammal Scientist at the Animal
Welfare Institute, via 'Newsweek'.
Sperm whales hang in groups near the
surface and enter relatively deeper sleep. .
Humpback whales have been observed resting
on the surface for up to 30 minutes. .
Socially-complex killer whales
sleep in tight-knit groups with
other members of their pod.