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DOLPHINS
Since Dolphins are like human being in so many ways. For example, dolphins have a special
respiratory just like humans. The only difference is that dolphins are able to stay underwater
for a long time without breathing oxygen. But how do dolphins manage to sleep without
drowning?
Generally, dolphins sleep with only one brain hemisphere in slow-wave sleep at a time, thus
maintaining enough consciousness to breathe and to watch for possible predators and
other threats. Earlier sleep stages can occur simultaneously in both hemispheres. In
captivity, dolphins seemingly enter a fully asleep state where both eyes are closed and there
is no response to mild external stimuli. In this case, respiration is automatic; a tail
kick reflex keeps the blowhole above the water if necessary. Anesthetized dolphins initially
show a tail kick reflex. Though a similar state has been observed with wild sperm whales, it
is not known if dolphins in the wild reach this state. The Indus river dolphin has a sleep
method that is different from that of other dolphin species. Living in water with strong
currents and potentially dangerous floating debris, it must swim continuously to avoid
injury. As a result, this species sleeps in very short bursts which last between 4 and
60 seconds.
READING COMPREHENSION