Last updated on October 7th, 2023 at 11:27 am
Dolphins are called most interesting creatures of sea. This marine mammal captivates our heart by their acrobatic display and playful behavior.
Another intriguing factor about dolphins are their sleeping pattern. They have remarkable ability to hold their breathe while sleeping.
In this article we will discuss “how long can dolphins hold their breath while sleeping“, science behind breath-holding mastery.
The short answer of how long can dolphins hold their breath while sleeping is 8-10 minutes in case of most dolphins they hold their breath while sleeping.
Table of Contents
How Long Can Dolphins Hold Their Breath While Sleeping?
Generally, dolphins sleep slowly, motionlessly and stay at close to the sea surface. It helps them to breathe and swim. However, if we talk about breath holding ability than most dolphins hold their breath 8-10 minutes even while sleeping.
Moreover, it depends on species of dolphin and the individual dolphin. Many people also want to know how long can bottlenose dolphins hold their breath? Bottlenose dolphins can hold their breath up to 12 minutes. The longest breath recorded by a dolphin is 17.5 minutes. This is the also answer of how long can dolphins hold their breath underwater.
There are some adaptations dolphins do to conserve their oxygen which is equally secret by which it holds breath for so long. Here are those adaptations:
- They can prevent heat loss by their blubber, a thick fat layer.
- Their spleen, an abdominal organ can store more oxygen.
- Their circulatory system allows slow heart rate and blood pressure which helps loss of more oxygen.
Generally, dolphins sleep slowly, motionlessly and stay at close to the sea surface. It helps them to breathe and swim. However, if we talk about breath holding ability than most dolphins hold their breath 8-10 minutes even while sleeping.
Can Dolphins Breathe Underwater?
The answer is no. Dolphins cannot breathe underwater as they are mammal. Like all other mammal they have lungs and nostril called blowhole.
When they are about to take breathe, they go to surface. Afterward, they exhale, then inhale and go back to underwater.
Dolphins hold their breathe for different duration depending on individual dolphin. Usually, this duration is up to 10 minutes.
How Do Dolphins Breathe When They Sleep?
Dolphins have unique way to breathe even when they are in sleep. Dolphins cannot go to unconscious sleep as like human. They sleep consciously. Here are how dolphins breathe when they sleep:
- Dolphin’s brain is divided into two parts. When they sleep, one half part of brains sleeps but another half part remains active.
- The active part does all activity for breathing. It takes dolphin to surface of water to breathe when necessary. This is the science behind breath-holding mastery.
- Dolphins rest motionless at surface where they sleep and breathe simultaneously.
See Also: Exploring the Myth: Do Dolphins Eat Humans?
Can Dolphins Breathe on Land?
No, dolphins cannot breathe on land. If a dolphin stranded in land, they will die due to suffocation. They cannot breathe at land because here it is different atmosphere.
In land they are unable to go water which helps them cool and regulate temperature. Moreover, they are used to swimming and diving in water and rely on blowhole for breathing.
How Many Hours Do Dolphins Sleep?
Dolphins have a unique sleeping pattern which is not matched with humans. Here is how many hours do dolphin’s sleep:
- Usually, dolphins sleep 8 hours a day.
- Like human they cannot sleep continuously. They sleep in two shifts. In each shift they sleep 4 hours.
- When right half of brain sleeps, left half remain active. This is called unihemispheric sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do dolphins sleep deeply, or are they always partially awake to breathe?
Dolphins go through a type of slow-wave sleep known as unihemispheric sleep, in which one hemisphere of their brain is active and the other is asleep. They are able to sustain vital processes like breathing and awareness of their environment because to this. They don’t get the same kind of deep, unbroken sleep that people do.
How do dolphins prevent drowning while they sleep?
Even while they are sleeping, dolphins have conscious, intentional breathing. They possess a reflex that enables them to breathe normally and surface when dozing. As their blowhole, which is on top of their heads, automatically opens when they come up for air, this prevents them from drowning.
Can dolphins hold their breath longer while sleeping than when they are active?
Normally, dolphins are unable to breathe for longer while they are asleep. Whether they are active or at rest, they can still hold their breath to a reasonable degree. They must occasionally rise to the surface for air in both stages to prevent asphyxia.
Conclusion
Dolphins are extraordinary creature with amazing abilities. Though they are unable to take breathe like fish but they adapted themselves with marine environment.
Depending of species and individual dolphins they have varying level of breath holding ability.
Here in this article, we have answered not only “how long can dolphins hold their breath while sleeping” but also many other related questions.
Mr. Das, a certified pharmaceutical scientist, holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences and passionately contributes to dolphin conservation as a member of the committee in Bangladesh.
