Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288) . Number 149, May 2017, pp. 1-30. | Page 23

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Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Khalaf-von Jaffa and his beloved wife Ola Mostafa Khalaf and his
beloved daughter Nora Norman Ali Khalaf on a diving and discovery trip in the Sea of DubaiJumeirah, United Arab Emirates. Photo by: Mahmoud El-Askary. 29.07.2015.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/50022881@N00/20197740655/

Breathing and Sleep
Sea turtles spend almost all their lives submerged, but must breathe air for the
oxygen needed to meet the demands of vigorous activity. With a single explosive
exhalation and rapid inhalation, sea turtles can quickly replace the air in their
lungs. The lungs permit a rapid exchange of oxygen and prevent gases from
being trapped during deep dives. Sea turtle blood can deliver oxygen efficiently
to body tissues even at the pressures encountered during diving. During routine
activity, green and loggerhead turtles dive for about four to five minutes, and
surface to breathe for one to three seconds (Wikipedia).
Turtles can rest or sleep underwater for