Sleeping great white shark caught on video for first time

Sharks prove to be endlessly compelling and captivating, and recent footage aired during the Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week” shows we still have a lot to learn about these regal ocean predators.

The science channel recently aired video of a great white shark taking a nap – the first known footage of its kind.

During the day when the shark is awake, it stays towards the bottom of deeper waters, waiting for prey like sea lions, seals and small whales. During the night, however, the shark hugs the shoreline and takes a bit of a breather.

The video of the snoozing shark, named Emma, was captured for the documentary Jaws of the Deep by a robotic submersible. It shows the large female dozing with its mouth open in shallow water.

Emma appears to be in a catatonic state and though she is still moving, it’s at a noticeably slower pace. That’s because if she were to stop moving, Emma would sink to the bottom of the ocean and suffocate.

According to the scientists, by napping, she’s able to slow down and save energy for her daytime hunting adventures. Luckily, she doesn’t have to worry about drooling on her pillow.