Big Breathers

Marine mammals like dolphins, seals and whales can hold their breath far longer than humans. How do they do this? Biology - Human Body - Learning Points. Underwater mammals, such as humpback whales, can hold their breaths for up to twenty minutes - much longer than other mammals. A humpback whale can inhale 3000 times more air than a human in one breath. A humpback whale's muscle tissue contains myoglobin, an efficient oxygen carrier that enables 90% absorption. Whales use fewer muscles when they swim, slowing down the heart rate and blood flow and conserving oxygen levels. A Twig Context Film. Reinforce and extend the learning required by the curriculum. Twig’s context films show abstract concepts in action in the real world.