{"id":91065,"date":"2022-04-22T12:12:02","date_gmt":"2022-04-22T12:12:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-whales-dive-deeply\/"},"modified":"2022-04-22T12:12:02","modified_gmt":"2022-04-22T12:12:02","slug":"why-do-whales-dive-deeply","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-whales-dive-deeply\/","title":{"rendered":"Why do whales dive deeply?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy counter-decimal ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-whales-dive-deeply\/#Why_do_whales_dive_deeply\" title=\"Why do whales dive deeply?\">Why do whales dive deeply?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-whales-dive-deeply\/#Can_a_sperm_whale_dive_deeper_than_a_submarine\" title=\"Can a sperm whale dive deeper than a submarine?\">Can a sperm whale dive deeper than a submarine?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-whales-dive-deeply\/#What_happens_if_a_whale_dives_too_deep\" title=\"What happens if a whale dives too deep?\">What happens if a whale dives too deep?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-whales-dive-deeply\/#How_do_whales_dive_so_deep_without_being_affected_by_pressure\" title=\"How do whales dive so deep without being affected by pressure?\">How do whales dive so deep without being affected by pressure?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-whales-dive-deeply\/#Why_do_beaked_whales_dive_so_deep\" title=\"Why do beaked whales dive so deep?\">Why do beaked whales dive so deep?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-whales-dive-deeply\/#How_do_whales_not_get_crushed\" title=\"How do whales not get crushed?\">How do whales not get crushed?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-whales-dive-deeply\/#Do_whales_swim_deep\" title=\"Do whales swim deep?\">Do whales swim deep?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-whales-dive-deeply\/#How_deep_can_a_sperm_whale_dive\" title=\"How deep can a sperm whale dive?\">How deep can a sperm whale dive?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-whales-dive-deeply\/#What_animal_dives_deepest\" title=\"What animal dives deepest?\">What animal dives deepest?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-whales-dive-deeply\/#Can_whales_go_to_the_bottom_of_the_ocean\" title=\"Can whales go to the bottom of the ocean?\">Can whales go to the bottom of the ocean?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-whales-dive-deeply\/#What_happens_if_a_whale_goes_too_deep\" title=\"What happens if a whale goes too deep?\">What happens if a whale goes too deep?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-whales-dive-deeply\/#How_do_whales_survive_deep_dives\" title=\"How do whales survive deep dives?\">How do whales survive deep dives?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-whales-dive-deeply\/#What_is_the_maximum_depth_a_whale_can_dive_to\" title=\"What is the maximum depth a whale can dive to?\">What is the maximum depth a whale can dive to?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-whales-dive-deeply\/#How_do_whales_not_get_crushed_by_pressure\" title=\"How do whales not get crushed by pressure?\">How do whales not get crushed by pressure?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-whales-dive-deeply\/#How_come_whales_can_dive_so_deep\" title=\"How come whales can dive so deep?\">How come whales can dive so deep?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-whales-dive-deeply\/#Does_water_pressure_affect_whales\" title=\"Does water pressure affect whales?\">Does water pressure affect whales?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-whales-dive-deeply\/#How_do_whales_not_get_decompression_sickness\" title=\"How do whales not get decompression sickness?\">How do whales not get decompression sickness?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-whales-dive-deeply\/#Can_a_beaked_whale_dive_deeper_than_1000_feet\" title=\"Can a beaked whale dive deeper than 1000 feet?\">Can a beaked whale dive deeper than 1000 feet?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-whales-dive-deeply\/#What_type_of_whale_dives_the_deepest\" title=\"What type of whale dives the deepest?\">What type of whale dives the deepest?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-whales-dive-deeply\/#How_deep_can_Orcas_dive\" title=\"How deep can Orcas dive?\">How deep can Orcas dive?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-whales-dive-deeply\/#How_do_deep_sea_fish_not_get_crushed\" title=\"How do deep sea fish not get crushed?\">How do deep sea fish not get crushed?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-whales-dive-deeply\/#How_do_whales_cope_with_pressure\" title=\"How do whales cope with pressure?\">How do whales cope with pressure?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-whales-dive-deeply\/#How_much_pressure_can_a_whale_take\" title=\"How much pressure can a whale take?\">How much pressure can a whale take?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-whales-dive-deeply\/#Why_do_whales_swim_so_deep\" title=\"Why do whales swim so deep?\">Why do whales swim so deep?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-whales-dive-deeply\/#What_animal_can_swim_the_deepest\" title=\"What animal can swim the deepest?\">What animal can swim the deepest?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_do_whales_dive_deeply\"><\/span>Why do whales dive deeply?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In an empty ocean, even a whale the size of a truck can be prey to vicious predators.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_a_sperm_whale_dive_deeper_than_a_submarine\"><\/span>Can a sperm whale dive deeper than a submarine?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Whale diving depths <b>Marine creatures can dive to much greater depths in proportion to their lengths than submarines.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happens_if_a_whale_dives_too_deep\"><\/span>What happens if a whale dives too deep?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>High pressures change the uptake of gas in the body. Increasing pressure shrinks the air in the lungs and by 200 metres deep, <b>both human and whale lungs will have collapsed. This is the danger zone for whales. Once the lungs have collapsed, no more gas from the lungs will enter the blood.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_whales_dive_so_deep_without_being_affected_by_pressure\"><\/span>How do whales dive so deep without being affected by pressure?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Most marine mammals lack sinuses so they wont have problems with them. The organ that is most susceptible to compression damage is the lung. Deep diving whales and seals have <b>reinforced airways that allow the lungs to collapse during the dive, preventing damage<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_do_beaked_whales_dive_so_deep\"><\/span>Why do beaked whales dive so deep?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Basically, theyre made of this muscle that can store lots of oxygen, Dr. Claridge said. <b>The whales have little fat, especially around their midsections, which allows them to store more nitrogen, enabling deep dives. Theyre built differently to many of the other cetaceans and even deep-diving cetaceans, Dr.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_whales_not_get_crushed\"><\/span>How do whales not get crushed?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>High pressures change the uptake of gas in the body. Increasing pressure shrinks the air in the lungs and by 200 metres deep, <b>both human and whale lungs will have collapsed. This is the danger zone for whales. Once the lungs have collapsed, no more gas from the lungs will enter the blood.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_whales_swim_deep\"><\/span>Do whales swim deep?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>These whales breathe air, but <b>their lungs are collapsible, so they dont get crushed when the whales dive into the deep sea for almost two hours at a time. When diving, these whales store the oxygen from the air they breathe in their blood and muscles.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_deep_can_a_sperm_whale_dive\"><\/span>How deep can a sperm whale dive?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The deepest recorded dive was 2,992 metres, breaking the record for diving mammals. Experts have suggested that this dive was unusually deep for this species. A more normal depth would be 2,000 metres. Sperm whales also regularly dive <b>1,000 to 2,000 metres deep.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_animal_dives_deepest\"><\/span>What animal dives deepest?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>High pressures change the uptake of gas in the body. Increasing pressure shrinks the air in the lungs and by 200 metres deep, <b>both human and whale lungs will have collapsed. This is the danger zone for whales. Once the lungs have collapsed, no more gas from the lungs will enter the blood.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_whales_go_to_the_bottom_of_the_ocean\"><\/span>Can whales go to the bottom of the ocean?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Cuviers beaked whales<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happens_if_a_whale_goes_too_deep\"><\/span>What happens if a whale goes too deep?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When diving to such great depths, whales face two challenges: storing enough oxygen to hunt successfully and withstanding the enormous pressure. High pressures change the uptake of gas in the body. Increasing pressure shrinks the air in the lungs and <b>by 200 metres deep, both human and whale lungs will have collapsed<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_whales_survive_deep_dives\"><\/span>How do whales survive deep dives?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Whales have unique adaptations that allow them to go on long dives. They are capable of <b>collapsing their lungs during dives to prevent damage from the increasing pressure. To further protect their collapsing lung, they have a jointed rib cage that allows their thoracic cavity to collapse with their lungs.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_maximum_depth_a_whale_can_dive_to\"><\/span>What is the maximum depth a whale can dive to?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>These whales breathe air, but <b>their lungs are collapsible, so they dont get crushed when the whales dive into the deep sea for almost two hours at a time. When diving, these whales store the oxygen from the air they breathe in their blood and muscles.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_whales_not_get_crushed_by_pressure\"><\/span>How do whales not get crushed by pressure?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In deep-diving whales and seals, <b>the peripheral airways are reinforced, and it is postulated that this allows the lungs to collapse during travel to depth. Such collapse has been observed radiographically and confirmed with blood nitrogen analyses in the deep-diving Weddell seal.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_come_whales_can_dive_so_deep\"><\/span>How come whales can dive so deep?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Spermaceti is the main component of sperm whale organ which allows the animal to dive so deeply. The whale is able to close off the blood supply, whereby the spermaceti cools off to the point of solidifying. The density increases, allowing the whale to dive more readily.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_water_pressure_affect_whales\"><\/span>Does water pressure affect whales?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Withstanding the pressure High pressures change the uptake of gas in the body. <b>Increasing pressure shrinks the air in the lungs and by 200 metres deep, both human and whale lungs will have collapsed. This is the danger zone for whales.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_whales_not_get_decompression_sickness\"><\/span>How do whales not get decompression sickness?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Marine mammals <b>chest structure allows their lungs to compress. Scientists have assumed that this passive compression was marine mammals main adaptation to avoid taking up excessive nitrogen at depth and getting the bends.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_a_beaked_whale_dive_deeper_than_1000_feet\"><\/span>Can a beaked whale dive deeper than 1000 feet?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In an empty ocean, even a whale the size of a truck can be prey to vicious predators.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_type_of_whale_dives_the_deepest\"><\/span>What type of whale dives the deepest?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Cuviers beaked whale is pelagic, inhabiting waters deeper than 1,000 feet (300 m). It has the deepest and longest recorded dives among whales at 9,816 feet (2,992 m) and 222 minutes respectively, though the frequency and reasons for these extraordinary dives are unclear.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_deep_can_Orcas_dive\"><\/span>How deep can Orcas dive?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Cuviers beaked whale<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_deep_sea_fish_not_get_crushed\"><\/span>How do deep sea fish not get crushed?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In deep-diving whales and seals, <b>the peripheral airways are reinforced, and it is postulated that this allows the lungs to collapse during travel to depth. Such collapse has been observed radiographically and confirmed with blood nitrogen analyses in the deep-diving Weddell seal.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_whales_cope_with_pressure\"><\/span>How do whales cope with pressure?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The team found that <b>the fish have high levels of a substance called trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), which is used to stabilize proteins. Most animals have one copy of these gene, while these fish have five. Even moving chemicals into and out of cells can be difficult at these high pressures.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_much_pressure_can_a_whale_take\"><\/span>How much pressure can a whale take?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Whales have unique adaptations that allow them to go on long dives. They are capable of <b>collapsing their lungs during dives to prevent damage from the increasing pressure. To further protect their collapsing lung, they have a jointed rib cage that allows their thoracic cavity to collapse with their lungs.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_do_whales_swim_so_deep\"><\/span>Why do whales swim so deep?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Deep-diving marine mammals limit the gas exchange from lungs to blood during dives. They do so <b>to prevent excess nitrogen bubble accumulation, which could otherwise result in decompression sickness. When diving, whales use their limited supply of oxygen strategically.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_animal_can_swim_the_deepest\"><\/span>What animal can swim the deepest?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Cuviers beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) are master divers. These creatures hold the record for deepest plunge by a marine mammal. One whale dived to depths of nearly 3,000 meters (almost 1.9 miles). This species also holds the record for the longest dives.<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of Contents Why do whales dive deeply?Can a sperm whale dive deeper than a submarine?What happens if a whale dives too deep?How do whales dive so deep without being affected by pressure?Why do beaked whales dive so deep?How do whales not get crushed?Do whales swim deep?How deep can a sperm whale dive?What animal dives&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-91065","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91065"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=91065"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91065\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=91065"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=91065"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=91065"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}