How do mammals such as seals and whales sleep or rest?

Question

With the ocean currents and all, how does one rest as an occupant of the ocean?

Answer 1

Well, like was said before, seals sleep ashore.

But, whales sleep too. It's rather interesting how they do it, too. See, whales and dolphins are voluntary breathers - that is, they breathe on command. If they were involuntary breathers, like humans, they'd drown. But, if they're going to sleep, they have to be unconscious. How does a voluntary breather sleep, while still deciding when to breathe?

The answer is that they shut down half of their brains at a time. One half of their brain sleeps, while the other one stays awake to decide when to breathe, look out for predators, and other things. Then, once the first side is done, they trade duties.

When dolphins and whales sleep, they remain on or close to the surface of the water, so that they don't have to move much to breathe. Dolphins can stay submerged for nearly a half an hour while sleeping, and some whales can do it for nearly an hour or more. This is because their metabolisms slow down while they're sleeping, reducing their consumption of oxygen.

I've seen pictures of whales sleeping - in particluar, sperm whales. They float vertically underwater, with their tails pointing towards the surface and their heads pointed down. When they need aid, they gently rise, take a breath, and then go back to their original positions. Isn't that nifty?

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Hello

Mammals, or more accurately ocean dwelling air breathers, have been found to sleep 1/2 grain at a time. The half that sleeps is resting and the half that is not asleep maintains a proper breathing and surfacing behavior. At some point in the rest period the resting half switches to the other half of the brain.

--David at [e-mail]

Answer 3

These massive ocean mammals use their meals to get contemporary water. However in addition they can take in water as we do. We can not take in salt water on account that water is interested in a extra salty discipline. This is why whilst making use of water colours, in the event you positioned salt at the photograph, it's going to take in the water and colour leaving the discipline lighter or white once more. This could also be why we have got to have salt in our nutrition. When we consume salt on meals we're capable to place that salt into our cells to be able to support to attract extra water into them the following time we drink. However, if we drink salt water it's going to be extra salty external of the cells, and thus the cells will dry out. Large mammals like whales and seals are capable to manage this bigger salt content material of their water on account that they themselves have a top salt content material. It isn't a question of salt or no salt, this can be a subject of which has MORE salt. Since their our bodies have extra salt inside the cells, they're capable to soak up water from the salty sea.

Answer 4

whales go to a rest period at the bottom of the ocean seals I don't know

Answer 5

i myself live in a seal/whale's stomach. they ALWAYS wash down sleeping pills with vodka. then they just never wake up. its like that ya'll. yea DOnT get it twisted. if anyone wants 2 come 2 a party (yes its in the seal/whales stomach) i will be in antartica at 30 degress southeast way . in a whales stomach . just tell the penguins Vinny sent u.

Answer 6

well im guessing the seals do not sleep under water, they go to the shore. And as for the whales, they dont sleep i dont think.

Answer 7

Mammals adjusted to sea water and sleep and rest like humans.

Answer 8

They float on a current and sleep.

Answer 9

They balance all their body weight on their cute little pink nosies.