The seal's longer excursions underwater, during which it appears to be either exploring distant routes or evading a predator, do evoke the diving response seen in the laboratory.

Scientists have developed an underwater biological laboratory that can identify DNA fragments in minutes, saving researchers the trouble of going into the field to retrieve samples.

Originally a research laboratory, the world’s only underwater hotel sits at the bottom of the Emerald Lagoon in Florida, and can only be reached by scuba diving down six meters.