The Bedtime Scientist

A question

How do dolphins sleep?

A calm, true answer. Then, if the wondering keeps going, the whole episode.

The short answer

Half a brain at a time. A dolphin has to think about every breath it takes, so it can never switch off completely. Instead it rests one half of its brain while the other stays awake and keeps it rising to the surface.

One eye usually stays open, the one wired to the waking half. They drift like that near the surface, half asleep and still breathing, for hours.

Go deeper tonight

Dolphins: Riding the Waves

The full episode, in one calm voice, with nothing that startles.

The episode

Dolphins: Riding the Waves

0:00 11:15
Sleep timer

Read the guide for this one in the morning.

This connects to

Sound and echoes Rest Finding the way

One idea turns up in many different nights. Follow one and the library starts to join up.