Amazing sea creatures that inhabit the watery deep

[daydream]

Thanks Br. John for giving me the impetus to start this topic.

 

https://jwtalk.net/topic/46920-construct-a-sentence-with-the-last-word-of-the-previous-sentence/?do=findComment&comment=854976

 

How Do Whales Breathe?

 

... whales need to rise to the surface of the water to inhale and exhale oxygen through their blowholes.

While whales are known to breathe through their blowholes they are unable to breathe through their mouth because the trachea is not connected to the whales throat.

This separation is important for a number of reasons.

 

Spoiler

First having a separate hole for breathing and eating allows whales to minimize the likelihood of blocking their air passage due to food trapped in their throat.

 

More importantly having a separate air passage and food passage means that whales are able to swallow their food underwater without worrying about taking water into their lungs as most mammals risk opening the air passage to their lungs when they eat.

 

If a human were to try and consume food underwater there is a chance that their nostrils or air passage would open up causing their lungs to take in water.

 

Additionally by having the blowhole situated on the top of the whales head they can take in oxygen without having to lift their head above the water or exert additional energy.

 

Diving

 

To assist with long dives whales have developed special lungs that help them inhale additional oxygen and transfer it to enlarged blood vessels where it can be used by the body.

According to some researchers whales are also able to use up to 90% of the oxygen they inhale as compared to humans that are only able to use around 15% of the oxygen they inhale.

 

https://www.whalefacts.org/how-do-whales-breathe/

 

Edited December 24, 2021 by happiness IS