An unusual video filmed off the coast of Moalboal in the Philippines managed to worry quite a few viewers: a sea turtle appeared almost standing on its head, its face buried inside a large marine sponge and the back of its body protruding upward.
The one who documented the scene was dive instructor Oliver Richardson, who works at the Quo Vadis Dive Resort. After the video was posted online, some viewers wondered whether the turtle was dead or had become entangled in the sponge. But the explanation was much simpler: the turtle was just sleeping.
According to Richardson, this is even a preferred sleeping spot. He and his partner Zoe Burt have already seen turtles sleeping in a similar position, both during the day and at night. Richardson said this was already the fifth time he had seen the same turtle falling asleep this way.
Although sea turtles breathe air through lungs, they are able to sleep underwater for extended periods. During rest, their heart rate can drop significantly, allowing them to consume less oxygen and remain submerged for longer stretches.
The strange sight also sparked quite a few amusing reactions online, with users joking that the turtle looked "as if it crashed into the sponge after a particularly busy and long day."
