Scientists have discovered that sperm whales use bubbles to help them sleep while floating upright in the ocean. The discovery was made by researchers from the University of St Andrews in Scotland and the Université de Neuchâtel in Switzerland. The team studied whales near the coast of Norway using special tags that recorded their movements and sounds. The findings showed that the bubbles help the whales stay in the right position while they rest.
Sperm whales are the only whales known to sleep in an upright, heads-up position. Scientists think this helps them avoid being pushed around by waves near the surface and saves energy compared with staying deeper underwater. Until now, experts did not know how the whales managed to remain in the same place while sleeping.
The researchers found the sound of bubbles being released in the recordings from the tags. They then used computer simulations to understand how the bubbles worked. The results showed that the bubbles help stop the whales from floating back to the surface too quickly, allowing them to rest peacefully underwater.
Professor Patrick Miller said the study had revealed a surprising new detail about one of the ocean’s most unusual sleepers. He explained that it is especially interesting that the whales can make these tiny adjustments even while they are believed to be asleep. The discovery gives scientists a better understanding of how these giant sea animals live and rest.
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