Random article ( of 1042 ) Latest updates

User Tools

Site Tools


content:life_sciences:zoology:deepdiving_animals

Wikenigma - an Encyclopedia of Unknowns Wikenigma - an Encyclopedia of the Unknown

Deep-diving animals

Human divers need to resurface very slowly to avoid dangerous 'gas embolisms' which lead to decompression sickness (a.k.a. The Bends).

Deep-diving animals - e.g. whales, dolphins, turtles (and some birds) etc do not suffer the same problems (or very rarely do). There is currently no explanation.

A 2018 paper in Proceedings of the Royal Society B reviews the current research and suggest a possible mechanism.

While exposure to high pressure is a common challenge among breath-hold divers, there is large variation in respiratory anatomy, function and capacity between genera and even species. The ultra-deep-diving feats of some marine mammals go beyond our current understanding of respiratory physiology and lung mechanics."

See : 'Pulmonary ventilationā€“perfusion mismatch: a novel hypothesis for how diving vertebrates may avoid the bends'

Some birds - e.g. the Thick-billed_murre can dive as deep as 200m. On rapid resurfacing, they apparently suffer no ill effects. A 1992 study published in the ESA journal suggested that such birds may have some special as-yet-unknown lung structure or chemical surfactant at work.

Note: Although not strictly 'diving', it's known that the Nautilus (mollusc) can somehow withstand rapid pressure changes of 80 standard atmospheres (1,200 psi), remaining apparently unharmed when brought to the surface.


Show another (random) article

Suggestions for corrections and ideas for articles are welcomed : Get in touch!


Further resources :

Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site!

DOKUWIKI IMPLEMENTATION DESIGN BY UNIV.ORG.UK MARCH 2024