These animals never quit monitoring their surroundings

Oct 18, 2012 08:20 GMT  ·  By

Only yesterday, the scientific journal PLOS ONE witnessed the publication of a new study explaining that, unlike humans and other animals, dolphins are never sound asleep.

Moreover, they constantly keep monitoring their surroundings by means of echolocation, and only rest half of their brain at a time.

After analyzing the behavior of two such marine mammals (a male and a female) for several days, scientists found that the female remained permanently alert for as many as 15 days.

Interestingly enough, it was the researchers who put an end to the investigation after the aforementioned period.

In simpler words, the dolphin displayed no signs of fatigue, and was most likely capable of behaving in this manner for numerous days to come.

Science Daily informs us that their being alert all this time allowed the marine mammals to use echolocation in order to make heads and Tails of what was happening around them, meaning that they were constantly aware of the objects and creatures found in their proximity.

According to the same source, this study stands as proof of the fact that, by resting only haft of their brain at a time, dolphins achieve more than just make sure that they do not drown: they avoid predators and keep a close eye on any potential dangers.

Specialist Brian Branstetter, presently working with the US National Marine Mammal Foundation, made a case of how, “These majestic beasts are true unwavering sentinels of the sea.”

Furthermore, “The demands of ocean life on air breathing dolphins have led to incredible capabilities, one of which is the ability to continuously, perhaps indefinitely, maintain vigilant behavior through echolocation.”

Truth be told, falling sound asleep out in the open waters seems like a rather foolish thing to do, therefore it need not come as such a big surprise that these marine mammals have evolved in ways which allow them to always be on the lookout and avoid predators.