The Whale That Holds Its Breath for 2 Hours

The Champion Diver

Cuvier’s beaked whales are the best divers in the ocean. While humans can only hold their breath for a few minutes, these whales can stay underwater for over two hours. They dive nearly 2 miles (3 kilometers) deep into the ocean to hunt for squid. This is deeper than any other mammal can go. They spend most of their lives in the dark, deep water and only come to the surface for short breaks.

Oxygen Batteries

The secret to their long dives is how they store oxygen. Humans keep most of their air in their lungs. Cuvier’s beaked whales store oxygen in their muscles and blood instead. Their muscles are packed with a special protein called myoglobin (MY-oh-glow-bin). This protein turns the muscles dark red and acts like an oxygen battery. It releases oxygen slowly while the whale swims, allowing it to keep moving long after its lungs are empty.

Collapsing Lungs

Deep water pushes hard against any object. This weight is called water pressure. To survive this crushing force, the whale’s lungs are designed to collapse completely. This protects the whale from injury. If a human diver came up too fast, nitrogen gas bubbles would form in their blood, causing a painful sickness called “the bends.” Because the whale’s lungs collapse, gas cannot enter the blood, keeping the whale safe.

Slowing the Heart

When the whale dives, it saves energy by slowing its heartbeat. It stops blood from flowing to parts of the body that do not need it, such as the skin and stomach. The blood is sent only to vital organs like the brain and heart. This allows the whale to stay hunting in the deep ocean for record-breaking times.