This Giant Seal Can Dive To Depths Of 2,000 Meters
By: NDTVNewsDesk
Image: Pexels
Despite weighing up to 4 tonnes, the southern elephant seal can dive to depths of over 2,000 meters.
Image: Pexels
It can hold its breath for as long as two hours, and slow its heart rate to conserve oxygen.
Image: Pexels
Southern elephant seals are the deepest diving seals on Earth, with the deepest recorded dive at 2,388 meters.
Image: Pexels
On a typical foraging trip, they dive to depths between 200 and 700 meters.
Image: Pexels
They can carry three times more oxygen in their blood than humans, also storing it in their tissues.
Image: Pexels
So the precious oxygen lasts even longer, the seals lower their heart rate to slow the pace at which it is used.
Image: Pexels
They are able to tolerate very low levels of blood oxygen at the end of dives.
Image: Pexels
Seals must dive deeper to find prey like squid and fish, especially as water temperatures rise.
Image: Pexels
ndtv.com