All articles tagged with #oxygen storage
A bull southern elephant seal sets a record by diving up to 2,388 meters and holding its breath for up to two hours, aided by storing three times more oxygen in its blood than humans, a slowed heart rate, and tissue oxygen reserves, while hunting squid and rays in nutrient-rich zones.
A 2020 study of Cuvier’s beaked whales logged a 222-minute dive on a single breath, the longest mammal dive on record and far exceeding prior aerobic dive-limit estimates (about 33–78 minutes). Analyzing thousands of dives from 23 tagged whales off Cape Hatteras, researchers found a median around an hour but two extreme dives that pushed the known limits. The findings point to a combination of high oxygen storage, low metabolic rate, and metabolic buffering, yet recovery patterns did not follow a simple rule, leaving the true limits and mechanisms unresolved.
Cuvier's beaked whales, specifically one tagged individual, hold the record for the deepest recorded dive by a mammal, reaching a depth of 9,816 feet (2,992 meters). These mid-size whales have specialized adaptations that allow them to dive for extended periods, including high concentrations of oxygen-storing proteins in their blood, a slow metabolism, and the ability to flatten their lungs to withstand high pressure. While their exact diet is unknown, they are believed to forage for food, possibly squid, during their dives. Other deep-diving mammals include southern elephant seals and sperm whales.
Cuvier's beaked whales, specifically, have been found to be the deepest-diving mammals, with one individual recorded diving down to 9,816 feet (2,992 meters) and staying underwater for over 2 hours. These whales possess adaptations such as high concentrations of oxygen-storing proteins, a slow metabolism, and the ability to flatten their lungs to withstand the intense pressure at great depths. While their exact diet is still uncertain, it is believed that they primarily feed on squid. Other deep-diving mammals include southern elephant seals and sperm whales.