Scientists Uncover Unique Sleep Habits of Arctic Sperm Whales

WHO:

BBC Wildlife Magazine - Researchers from the Université de Neuchâtel, Switzerland, and the University of St Andrews’ Sea Mammal Research Unit, including Noémie Freymond, Alec Burslem, and Patrick Miller.

WHAT:

BBC Wildlife Magazine - Scientists tagged 42 sperm whales to study their sleeping habits and discovered they sleep vertically several metres below the surface.

Phys.org - The research revealed that sperm whales blow bubbles to manage their buoyancy while resting.

WHERE:

BBC Wildlife Magazine - The study was conducted in the Arctic Circle.

WHEN:

BBC Wildlife Magazine - The findings were published in the Journal of Experimental Biology.

WHY:

BBC Wildlife Magazine - Sperm whales blow bubbles to counteract the expanding gas in their lungs while resting, preventing them from floating to the surface.

HOW:

BBC Wildlife Magazine - Researchers used special recorders to tag the whales, which recorded depth and captured the sound of bubbles during their rest.

BBC Wildlife Magazine - The study found that sperm whales sleeping closer to the surface released around 11 bubbles, while those resting after deep dives of 200m or more released three to four bubbles.

Phys.org - The research tested the theory that bubble releases help sperm whales regulate their net buoyancy.

(UPDATED July 24, 2026 05:54 UTC)

Researchers from the Université de Neuchâtel and the University of St Andrews have made a fascinating discovery about sperm whales in the Arctic Circle, revealing that these majestic creatures sleep vertically several meters below the surface. By tagging 42 sperm whales with special recorders, the team found that while resting, the whales blow bubbles to manage their buoyancy, with those sleeping closer to the surface releasing around 11 bubbles, compared to three to four bubbles from those resting after deep dives of 200 meters or more. The findings, published in the Journal of Experimental Biology, suggest that these bubble releases play a crucial role in preventing the whales from floating to the surface while they sleep.