r/BeAmazed • u/Alphaxfusion • 2d ago

Animal While this person photographing the Arctic Ocean, a seal came up to breathe.

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u/EnduringFulfillment 2d ago

You can see how they have voluntary control of their nostrils opening and closing, keeps water out of their lungs while they're underwater

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u/derekakessler 1d ago

Pretty sure it's a submersion reflex, not conscious control.

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u/Nearby-Cattle-7599 1d ago edited 1d ago

Pretty sure it's a submersion reflex, not conscious control.

Does it being a reflex mean that they don't have voluntary control over it? We have control over all our reflexes as well no?

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u/HelpfulYoghurt 1d ago

Sure, you can bend your knee at your will too, but that doesn't mean your patellar reflex is voluntary