Pod of sleeping whales spotted off the coast of Dominica

A lucky photographer has snapped a large pod of sperm whales sleeping for 10 minutes off the coast of Dominica, Australia’s News.com.au has reported.

Franco Banfi was 65ft under the waves with his fervid partner when he spotted the rare sight.

According to the report, sperm whales – which can be 40ft in length – spend around 7% of their time sleeping.

They also sleep vertically for six to 25 minutes at any one time, it adds.

“I don’t know why they sleep vertically, maybe because they can use the sonar they have in their head to sense any danger approaching,” he told the website.

“I was very lucky to see such a great moment in nature, and I’m thankful the whales trusted me and gave me the opportunity to attend the show.

“It doesn’t happen like that every time you see them.”

A post shared by Franco Banfi Photographer (@francobanfi) on Apr 30, 2017 at 6:31am PDT