24.11.2023 – Oceanic sleepyheads

Everyone needs sleep. This rest phase is necessary so that the body can regenerate and process impressions. During sleep you not only recover, it is time for bones, muscles and internal organs to renew themselves without stress. While the sleeper rests, the metabolism is in full swing and the immune system is extremely active. In this phase there are more immune cells and antibodies in the blood.

But how does it work with the oceanic sleepyheads? How do whales and dolphins rest? Marine mammals move in a watery element, they must ensure that their blowhole is above the ocean surface when they inhale. However, this requires constant mindfulness. This is how nature designed it so that they are conscious breathers and do not have a breathing reflex like we do. Nevertheless, of course they need their rest periods. Nature’s creativity comes into play here too. The ingenious solution in this case: only one half of the brain is active at a time, while the other half is in a resting state.

Today our Short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) definitely had their day off. Both in the morning and on the midday tour we were able to observe very relaxed Pilot whales, near which there was a group of Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

Attached is the link to our petition page: https://www.lobosonda.com/whale-watching/marine-protection/

by Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

09:30 Pilot whales, Bottlenose dolphins

13:30 Pilot whales

Stenella

09:30 Pilot whales, Bottlenose dolphins, Loggerhead turtle

13:00 Pilot whales, Bottlenose dolphins