Sperm Whales blow bubbles to achieve restful, vertical sleep | University of St Andrews news
- Friday 24 July 2026 New research from the University of St Andrews and Université de Neuchâtel, has uncovered the mechanism which allows sperm whales to sleep in a unique vertical position, just under the ocean surface.
- Sperm whales are the only whale known to rest vertically.
- It’s thought to enable them to sleep effectively by buffering them from surface wave action, while avoiding the energy needed to dive to deeper depths.
Unverified
- Friday 24 July 2026 New research from the University of St Andrews and Université de Neuchâtel, has uncovered the mechanism which allows sperm whales to sleep in a unique vertical position, just under the ocean surface.
- Sperm whales are the only whale known to rest vertically.
- It’s thought to enable them to sleep effectively by buffering them from surface wave action, while avoiding the energy needed to dive to deeper depths.
Sources: St-andrews