Dolphins can hold their breath underwater typically for about 8 to 10 minutes on average, though this varies by species and individual factors
. Some species and individuals can hold their breath longer:
- Bottlenose dolphins usually hold their breath for 8 to 10 minutes, with some reports of up to 14 or even 20 minutes in exceptional cases
- Atlantic spotted dolphins can hold their breath up to 10 minutes, usually diving for 2 to 6 minutes during normal activity
- Risso’s dolphins, a deep-diving species, can hold their breath for about 30 minutes
- Pilot whales (part of the dolphin family) can stay underwater for about 20 minutes
- Orcas (killer whales) can hold their breath around 15 to 20 minutes
Physiologically, dolphins are adapted to maximize breath-holding by exchanging up to 80% of the air in their lungs in a single breath, storing oxygen in their blood and muscles, and reducing their heart rate and blood flow to non- essential areas during dives to conserve oxygen
. In summary, while the typical breath-hold for dolphins is around 8 to 10 minutes, some species and individuals can stay submerged for up to 20 or even 30 minutes under certain conditions
