how long can blue whales hold their breath

Blue whales can typically hold their breath underwater for about 10 to 30 minutes during dives. While their maximum breath-holding time can be around 36 to 50 minutes in some cases, normal diving times range from about 5 to 15 minutes, depending on their activity and behavior. They have specialized adaptations, such as efficient oxygen storage in their muscles and blood, slowed heart rates, and the ability to direct oxygen to essential organs, which allow them to stay submerged for these extended periods. In detail, blue whales have enormous lungs with a capacity of about 5000 liters and can store up to 90% of the oxygen they inhale. They also reduce their heart rate significantly during dives, sometimes to as low as two to three beats per minute. They surface regularly to breathe but can dive deeply and remain underwater for long durations compared to most animals, using mechanisms that conserve their oxygen supply efficiently. Thus, blue whales generally stay submerged for around 10 to 30 minutes but can hold their breath up to about 36 to 50 minutes in exceptional cases.