Animals with the Longest Breath-Holding Abilities
Blanding's turtles can stay underwater for months during brumation, but the longest voluntary breath-hold is by the loggerhead sea turtle at about 10.2 hours. Large mammals like Cuvier's beaked whales can hold their breath for over 3.7 hours, thanks to specialized adaptations, while large ectotherms such as sea turtles and crocodiles can also achieve impressive dive durations due to their energy-saving strategies. The ability to hold breath varies among species based on size, physiology, and environmental adaptations.