Frequency of Surface Breaks for Whales
Whale Breathing Patterns Explained
Every time a whale erupts with a dramatic blow from its blowhole, it raises a question: How often do whales come up for air? The answer varies depending on the species, their activity, and the depth of their dives.
Whales are marine mammals, not fish, and they must breathe air to survive like humans. They have lungs and inhale and exhale through a blowhole on top of their heads. When whales exhale, they propel a spout of air and water vapor, sometimes mixed with mucus, which can be seen from far away.
Whales have evolved to store oxygen in their lungs, blood, and muscles. Their blood contains more hemoglobin and myoglobin, allowing them to store a significant amount of oxygen. When taking a deep breath, whales can replace up to 90 percent of the air in their lungs compared to 10 to 15 percent in humans, enabling them to hold their breath longer.
Different whale species surface at different intervals. Humpback whales usually breathe every 5 to 15 minutes and can stay underwater for up to 45 minutes. Killer whales, or orcas, typically surface every few minutes, especially when moving quickly to catch prey. Sperm whales, known as deep-diving whales, can hold their breath for up to 90 minutes while hunting at great depths.
Whales rest one half of their brain at a time, allowing them to stay partially conscious while resting and breathing air through their blowhole. During high-energy activities like chasing fish or other whales, they breathe more frequently. At rest or during deep dives, their heart rates slow, and blood flow to nonessential organs is reduced, helping them conserve oxygen.
Observers of whales, whether in the Salish Sea or the deep ocean, can learn much about their health, migration patterns, and stress levels by studying their breathing patterns. The Seattle area hosts various whale species, each exhibiting unique surfacing and diving rhythms.
Humans can't hold their breath nearly as long or store oxygen as efficiently as whales. Whales' bodies are built for this with slower heart rates, streamlined lungs, and control over their blood flow. While humans might hold their breath for a minute or two, whales can routinely stay underwater for 30 minutes or longer.
Can whales drown? Yes, if they cannot reach the surface for air. Do whales breathe through their mouths? No, they breathe only through their blowholes. Can whales breathe underwater? No, but they can hold their breath for extended periods. Why do whales come up to breathe? To obtain oxygen, as they are mammals, just like humans.
Sources:[1] NOAA Fisheries. (n.d.). Marine Mammals: What They Eat and Drink. Retrieved November 22, 2022, from https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/dm/species/marine-mammals/marine-mammals-what-they-eat-and-drink[3] Würsig, B. (1993). Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals. Academic Press.[5] Harvard Medical School. (n.d.). The Brain in Action. Whales and Dolphins. Retrieved November 22, 2022, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/brain-mind/the-brain-in-action-whales-and-dolphins
- Although humans have advanced technology and science, they cannot match the health-and-wellness abilities of whales, such as their endurance in fitness-and-exercise activities like holding their breath.
- Energy conservation is crucial for whales, especially during dives, much like how energy efficiency is a significant factor in various science and technology innovations in the field of health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise.
