Dolphins sleep with only one hemisphere of the brain

Dolphins can stay awake for more than two weeks, falling asleep only one half of the brain, scientists have found.

The study found that the dolphins, thus constantly can watch the sharks. Unlike terrestrial mammals, dolphins sleep only one half of the brain at any point in time. Half of their brains rest, while the other remains on the alert, and they keep changing the active side.

"After continuous awake for hours and days of man and other animals are forced to cease all activity and sleep," - explained Brian Branstetter (Brian Branstetter), a marine biologist from the US National Marine Mammal Foundation of San Diego. "Dolphins are no such restrictions, and if there were, they probably drowned or became easy prey».

To ensure vigilance dolphins, the researchers tested their ability to scan the environment. Dolphins use echolocation to get an idea of ​​the world - a biological form of sonar in which they emit a "whoosh" and listen to the echo to examine the situation.

Scientists have found that these animals can use echolocation continuously for 15 days. In a study of two dolphins on a mission to scan specific modules using echolocation. Maybe the Dolphins are able to stay awake much longer, but the researchers did not check further.

"Dolphins can continue to swim and think for days without rest and sleep, maybe even infinite", - explained the researchers.

The ability to sleep only one half of the brain evolved in dolphins, in order to enable them to breathe on the surface of the water, even when they are half asleep. Also played a role need to remain alert.

via factroom.ru