Like humans, whales are mammals. They therefore have lungs and breath air at the surface. They are unable to extract oxygen from the water like fish do with their gills. Breathing in whales is “conscious”; the function of breathing in these animals is under the voluntary control of the central nervous system (CNS). Whales choose to come up to the surface to breath in the same way that we make a conscious decision to eat so that we don’t starve!

Unlike humans who continue to breath even when they’re in a deep sleep, cetaceans must remain partially awake in order to maintain a state of alertness to control their breathing. Studies conducted on dolphins have demonstrated that only half of the brain “rests”, while the other half ensures this alertness. This technique also allows the brain to remain on the lookout for predators, obstacles and other animals in the area. The cetacean also maintains control of its blowhole, the orifice on the top of its head that is the equivalent of our nostrils. This fold of skin is voluntarily opened by the animal, which contracts the muscles around its blowhole whenever it takes a breath. The two hemispheres of the brain alternate periods of rest.

To learn more:

On Whales Online: Sleep

Whale Q&A - 8/3/2016

Josiane Cabana

Josiane Cabana served as Director for the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network call centre from 2011 to 2018. When she’s not responding to cases of dead or vulnerable marine mammals, she likes to take the time to educate local residents on the threats faced by these animals. Biologist by training, she has been involved with the GREMM for more than 15 years, and always with the same undying passion!

Recommended articles

Interpreting the Extraordinary Surface Behaviour of Humpback Whales

Humpback whales are also particularly entertaining, lifting their tails when diving, performing successive breaches, striking their pectorals or tail on…

|Whale Q&A 29/2/2024

Why do humpback whales sometimes interact with algae?

In an immense expanse of blue, a long and slender silhouette gently rises above the water surface. A string of…

|Whale Q&A 9/1/2024

Why do humpback whales get in the way of hungry killer whales?

A rare behaviour that remains unexplained Bertie Gregory, explorer for National Geographic, recently witnessed an extremely rare episode of intimidation.…

|Whale Q&A 7/12/2023