How Often Do Whales Come Up for Air?

Whales don’t have gills, so they can’t breathe underwater. These marine mammals have lungs just like humans and need oxygen to survive. They inhale and exhale through a blowhole on top of their heads, making it easier to breathe while swimming near the ocean surface.

When whales exhale, they release a spout of air and water vapor — sometimes with a bit of mucus — which can be seen from far away.

Whales have evolved to store oxygen in their lungs, blood and muscles. Their blood contains more hemoglobin and myoglobin than humans, which allows them to store so much oxygen.

When taking a deep breath, whales can replace up to 90 percent of the air in their lungs, compared to 10 to 15 percent in humans.

This means they can hold their breath longer, making deep dives and long dives possible without needing frequent surfacing.

Different whale species surface at different intervals.

Whales sleep in a way that ensures they don’t drown. They rest one half of their brain at a time — a behavior called unihemispheric slow-wave sleep.

This allows them to stay partially conscious to breathe air through their blowhole. It also helps them avoid predators and navigate while resting.

So yes, whales sleep, but very differently from land mammals.

While swimming or resting, whales adjust their breathing rates. During high-energy activities like chasing fish or other whales, they breathe more frequently to get enough air.

At rest or during long dives, they slow their heart rate and reduce blood flow to nonessential organs. This helps conserve oxygen for vital functions like muscle activity and brain function.

Whether you're watching humpbacks in the Salish Sea or sperm whales in the deep ocean, observing how whales breathe tells scientists a lot. Breathing patterns help researchers study whale health, migration and stress levels.

The Seattle area sees everything from dolphins to larger whale species, all demonstrating unique surfacing and diving rhythms.

Unlike whales, humans can’t hold their breath nearly as long or store oxygen as efficiently. Whales’ bodies are built for this with slower heart rates, streamlined lungs and control over their blood flow.

While humans might hold their breath for a minute or two, whales routinely stay underwater for 30 minutes or longer.

Can Whales Drown?

Yes, if they can't reach the surface for air.

Do Whales Breathe Through Their Mouths?

No, they breathe only through their blowholes.

Can Whales Breathe Underwater?

No, but they can hold their breath for extended periods.

Why Do Whales Come up to Breathe?

To get oxygen; they’re mammals, just like us.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.