TOP 5

Which mammal can dive for the longest time?

1

CUVIER'S BEAKED WHALE 2 hours and 18 minutes Apart from holding its breath, the whale can dive to a record depth of 2,992 m.

2

ELEPHANT SEAL 2 hours Carbon monoxide in its blood may help an elephant seal dive deep to catch rays.

3

SPERM WHALE 90 minutes A flexible chest ensures that the lungs can collapse to enable extremely deep dives.

4

WEDDELL SEAL 70 minutes Myoglobin in the seal's muscles stores oxygen, which the seal "eats" under the ice.

5

SLOTH 40 minutes Very slow metabolism lowers the creature's pulse by 2/3, reducing oxygen consumption.