14 DAY TRIAL // Earlier this year, a group of underwater photographers were lucky enough to come across a humpback whale sleeping with its head downwards, pointing towards the ocean floor.
The divers filmed the majestic creature, and part of the footage they shot during this rare encounter made it on YouTube just days ago. The video, available below, has since gone viral.
The first few minutes of the video show the marine mammals resting peacefully as if it didn't have a care in the world. Eventually, the humpback whale wakes up and swims to the surface.
After taking a breath or two of fresh air, the creature takes some time to check out the underwater photographers. Having satisfied its curiosity, it takes its leave.
As explained by wildlife researchers, humpback whales and dolphins need to constantly be alert so as to remember to breathe. Otherwise, they risk drowning.
It is believed that, in order to avoid asphyxiating to death when sleeping, these marine mammals shut off just half of their brain at a time. This allows them to regularly interrupt their slumber in order to breathe.
Although this humpback whale was filmed sleeping with its head down, specialists say that these marine mammals can also rest in a horizontal position. They can also choose to rest with their tail pointing downwards.
