obviously they dont sit on the shore for hours sleeping and if they sleep underwater they would drown. so whats going on in their head? im guessing animals dont unlimited energy so how does the brain rest while they are still awake?
2007-03-29 06:53:16 · 17 answers · asked by mannyg2199 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Yes, they do sleep with 1/2 brain off-on...pretty neat trick, eh?
2007-03-29 06:56:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I know Dolphins must sleep for a little while because when they sleep they always have one eye open. When Dolphins and Whales are under water they have a certain amount of air in their lungs that they can survive on before they need to go up and get more. I think that they must go up and get some air and then come down and sleep for alittle and they must know when to take up to get more air.
2007-03-29 14:00:35 · answer #2 · answered by volpe106 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know whales sleeps as I have watched it in PBS programs. For the sperm whales, they sleeps in the ocean vertically as a group. When they need to breath, they will slowly surface and take a breather, then sink back down.
I guess it is so natural to them that it is like us making a turn while we sleep. We don't need to be awake to make a turn or breath when we sleep.
2007-03-29 13:59:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have not seen whale footage , but the dolphins were sleeping in groups near the ocean floor of Hawaii , nose down, tail drifting upwards ( I think it was discovery channel footage , but not sure as it has been awhile ).
2007-03-29 14:03:11 · answer #4 · answered by kate 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only one half of the brain sleeps at a time, as a few others have said.
http://web.mit.edu/SEAGRANT/edu/res/dolphinsleep/questions/dolphins/sleep.html
2007-03-29 14:01:40 · answer #5 · answered by MOM KNOWS EVERYTHING 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They actually only put half of their brain to sleep at any given time. That way they can still process stimuli with the other half and can detect any danger this way.
2007-03-29 13:58:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If i recall correctly, when I was in elementary we were told by our teacher that they do sleep. We were doing some nature stuff and that is what I remember. What I don't remember is if it was with their eyes closed or open or if they have like a second eye lid that is clear. Something like that.
2007-03-29 14:03:19 · answer #7 · answered by SuNsHiNe 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those types of mammals do actually sleep. They do what is called being"semi-conscious",which means their body is asleep,but their brain is ready to go. Humans do it too. It's hard to explain this kind of stuff. I suggest you use wikipedia.
2007-03-29 13:58:49 · answer #8 · answered by theterrorofdeath 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They rest one half of the brain at a time.
2007-03-29 13:57:22 · answer #9 · answered by Navigator 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not so sure they would drown if they slept under water, but I've wondered about this also. Good question, you get a star.
2007-03-29 13:56:30 · answer #10 · answered by Speedy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋