How Long Can Sea Turtles Hold Their Breath

Introduction

Turtles are magnificent creatures. Many of us keep them as pets in our aquarium. And if you visit an underwater aquarium, you will see a lot of sea turtles. These species are on the earth since the period of dinosaurs. 

They remain on the earth because of their extraordinary evolution. One of which is breathing underwater and holding their breath for a long time. Do you know how long can sea turtles hold their breath? Depending on situations and species, they can do it for 4 to 7 hours.

Can turtle breath underwater

Turtles are reptile that means they are like snakes and alligators. They are not like fish and lack the gills which help fishes to breathe underwater.

So, they have to come up to the surface to take a quick breath to inhale oxygen into their bodies. However, they have tremendous stability to hold oxygen into the body to use it slowly underwater for a long time.

But one species can breathe underwater in icy conditions using its butt. This is called cloacal respiration. It expires CO2 from its butt and inspires oxygen from water with blood vessels. By this method, painted turtles can stay underwater hibernating for months. 

How the sea Turtles holds breathe

Many factors facilitate the sea turtle’s breathing underwater. Unlike its land-living family, a sea turtle cannot tuck its head and legs in its shell. Also, they are fond of seafood like lobster or seagrass, so they are likely to stay in the water. 

Sea turtles dive 290 meters or 960 feet in search of food. And leatherback turtles are recorded to dive more than 300 meters of 1000 feet. So, you can quickly get that they will need a long-time breath-holding ability.

Sea turtles have collapsable lungs, which can adjust with the pressure as it goes deep in water. Also, they store oxygen in their body, which they use in long dives deep in the ocean. Research says a sea turtle can lower its heartbeat so much that it takes 9 minutes between two heartbeats. 

Sea turtle has the habit of sleeping underwater at night. It can stay underwater for hours with minimal movements. If you have any pet turtle in your aquarium, you might be able to notice that. Besides, turtles can hibernate like bears too. In freezing cold sea turtles, take a deep breath and stay underwater for months.

Can a sea turtle get drown

Sea turtles are cold-blooded animals. They need warm water sources like sunlight or hot water, so they have to reach for the surface every now and then.

They might be able to hold their breath for a long time, but not in all conditions. Sea turtles are not fast swimmers, which helps their bodies to use less oxygen for movements. But if it gets afraid and starts moving fast to reach the surface, it can use all the oxygen and die underwater.

Conclusion

The Sea turtle is an excellent creature. There are 8 species you will find them.

If you ask even for each species how long can sea turtles hold their breath answer is the same. All of them can hold their breath for 4 to 7 hours with normal movement.

John C. Crawford

I am John C. Crawford. I am the founder of EnjoyWiki.com. I am a professional freelancer, blogger and content writer. I have several blogs and EnjoyWiki.com is one of them. I always love to share my experience on my blogs.