How do dolphins and other water bound mammals sleep?
Dolphins can shut down one side of their brain while laeving the other side up and running. This allows them to maintain breathing functions (they are voluntary breathers unlike humans) as well as maintain their sensory capabilities like sight and echolocation. As for sleeping on the surface, some dolphins will sleep under the water and come up for air when necessary. Some will float in a small area while others will go into a resting pattern (slow swimming pattern). When one side of the brain is rested up, it will come back on and the other side will turn off. The dolphin will do this throughout the day and pick up 8 hours of sleep through collective napping times. I believe whales function in the same manner. Manatees can hold their breath longer. When they rest, they will settle to the bottom of their environment (usually someplace shallow like a riverbed or close to shore depending on their location) and stay their. Every so often, the manatee will rise straight to the surface, tak
