Sperm whales are among the deepest diving mammals in the world. They can dive to depths of around 2,000 to 3,000 meters (6,560 to 9,842 feet). Some sources report that sperm whales are capable of dives up to about 2,987 meters (9,800 feet), with the deepest recorded dives possibly reaching close to 3,000 meters (9,842 feet)
. Most of their dives, however, tend to be in the range of 400 to 600 meters (1,312 to 1,680 feet) and typically last 20 to 25 minutes
. Their dives can last up to two hours in exceptional cases, but the average dive duration is usually around 45 minutes
. These deep dives allow sperm whales to forage for prey such as squid in deep ocean waters. The ability of sperm whales to dive so deeply is supported by several physiological adaptations, including a flexible ribcage that safely collapses under pressure, high concentrations of oxygen-storing proteins like myoglobin in their muscles, and the ability to slow their heart rate to conserve oxygen during dives
. These adaptations enable them to withstand the extreme pressure at great depths and extend their underwater endurance. In summary, sperm whales typically dive between 400 and 600 meters but can reach depths close to 3,000 meters during their deepest dives, making them the deepest diving marine mammals known
