Sperm Whales blow bubbles to achieve restful, vertical sleep
Researchers from the University of St Andrews have discovered that sperm whales release gas bubbles to regulate their buoyancy while sleeping in a vertical position. This mechanism allows them to remain submerged just below the surface without expending energy to dive deeper.
Why it matters
This finding provides new insights into marine biology and the physiological adaptations of large mammals to their environment.
New research from the University of St Andrews and Université de Neuchâtel, has uncovered the mechanism which allows sperm whales to sleep in a unique vertical position, just under the ocean surface.
Sperm whales are the only whale known to rest vertically. It’s thought to enable them to sleep effectively by buffering them from surface wave action, while avoiding the energy needed to dive to deeper depths. However, until now, it’s been unclear how they maintained their position just below the sea surface.
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