Cuvier's Beaked Whale Breaks Records
According to the longest recorded dive, the Cuvier's beaked whale holds the title for the longest breath-holding abilities. In a five-year study of 23 individuals, researchers documented one diving and holding its breath for an astonishing 3 hours and 42 minutes. In comparison, the human breath-holding record is a mere 24 minutes and 37 seconds, according to IFL Science. The average dive time for beaked whales in the study was 59 minutes, with only 5% of individuals observed diving beyond 1 hour and 17.7 minutes.
Other Marine Animals with Impressive Breath-Holding Skills
Several other marine animals exhibit impressive breath-holding capabilities. Sperm whales routinely spend about 1.5 hours underwater before surfacing to breathe. Beyond whales, elephant seals also hold their breath for up to two hours while diving.
Secrets of Breath-Holding Mammals
The ability of marine mammals to stay submerged for extended periods is partly attributed to their muscles being packed with a protein called myoglobin, which stores and delivers oxygen to muscle cells. Humans also have myoglobin, but at much lower concentrations. In humans, too much of this protein in close proximity can lead to clumping and disease. However, whales, seals, and others do not encounter this issue.
According to a 2012 study, the myoglobin of deep-diving marine mammals carries a positive electrical charge. "Like the poles of a magnet, the proteins repel each other," said Dr. Michael Berenbrink of the University of Liverpool. "In this way, we propose that the animals are able to have extremely high concentrations of myoglobin protein in their muscles, preventing them from sticking together and clogging up the muscle."
More to the Story Than Myoglobin
Myoglobin may only be a part of the equation. Researchers also suspect that Cuvier's beaked whales have a low metabolic rate, meaning they do not use up oxygen as quickly. When they do switch to anaerobic respiration, they appear to have a high tolerance for lactate, a byproduct of cellular metabolism, building up in their muscles.
Summary
Cuvier's beaked whales possess remarkable breath-holding abilities, capable of holding their breath for over three hours. This exceptional trait is attributed to a combination of adaptations, including a high concentration of dispersed myoglobin protein in their muscles, a low metabolic rate, and tolerance for lactate accumulation. Understanding these mechanisms not only sheds light on the physiological wonders of marine mammals but also holds potential implications for medical advancements in human respiratory endurance and recovery from oxygen deprivation scenarios.