Uncover the Champions of the Deep: Which Animals Can Hold Their Breath Underwater the Longest?

Getting enough oxygen underwater can be challenging for many aquatic animals. While fish and other sea creatures breathe through their gills, some have developed clever ways to obtain air. They may drag bubbles down from the surface or trap air around their bodies. Others take a more traditional approach: they hold their breath and dive, resurfacing for air periodically. But which animal can hold its breath the longest, and what allows them to do so?

Breath-holding times can differ based on the animal’s situation. Some creatures may be forced underwater but can survive for hours. For instance, certain ants have been observed surviving multiple hours under water, yet they won’t voluntarily dive for long, according to Philip Matthews, a professor studying insect respiration. This highlights the distinction between surviving under water and breath-holding.

John Spicer, a marine zoologist, points out that to hold their breath, animals require lungs. This includes those that breathe through their skin, such as frogs. Only animals with lungs can truly hold their breath, and even then, they might not stay submerged long voluntarily.

Some of the best at holding their breath are freshwater turtles, like the Blanding’s turtle. These animals hibernate underwater in winter, allowing them to stay submerged for months. They conserve energy during cold periods by slowing their metabolism, which lowers their oxygen needs. But they have a unique trick: they can absorb some oxygen through their cloacae, a multipurpose opening used for various biological functions.

Size is also a big factor in how long an animal can hold its breath. Larger animals generally have more oxygen stored in their bodies and require less oxygen relative to their size. Wilco Verberk, an ecology professor, emphasizes that bigger animals have an advantage in this aspect.

Among the champions of breath-holding are marine mammals, particularly Cuvier’s beaked whale, which once submerged for an astonishing 222 minutes. Other deep-diving species, like Arnoux’s beaked whale and sperm whales, have also been recorded at impressive depths and durations. These remarkable feats are made possible by a range of adaptations, such as slowing down their heart rates and minimizing blood flow to non-essential organs. They can also switch to anaerobic metabolism, generating energy without using oxygen, though this isn’t efficient and produces lactic acid.

While mammals lead in depth and duration, big ectothermic animals, like crocodiles and sea turtles, can boast the longest breath-holding times overall. The loggerhead sea turtle holds the record, remaining underwater for around 610 minutes, or over 10 hours, in certain studies. They, too, benefit from energy-saving adaptations, allowing them to remain submerged longer without the need for constant metabolic heat production. The leatherback turtle can even dive deeper than many whale species and often rests in underwater caves.

This fascinating field of study highlights the various strategies animals use to thrive in aquatic environments. Understanding these adaptations can help us better appreciate the intricate dynamics of life underwater. For more in-depth insights into animal behavior, you can explore studies published in trusted sources like the [Royal Society Publishing](https://royalsocietypublishing.org) or [Live Science](https://www.livescience.com).

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