However, penguins need oxygen to breathe under water. For most species of penguins, the average underwater dive lasts 6 minutes, since most of their prey resides in the upper water levels.
They can hold their breathe for extended periods of time, but they cannot breathe underwater. Therefore, they are like humans then- as if Penguins tried to breathe underwater, they would need air immediately, and their lungs will become full of water- essentially drowning.
What breathing technique do penguins use?
Some species of penguins use a breathing and swimming technique called porpoising, named after porpoises and dolphins. The birds come up for air, then inhale and exhale rapidly. They then start breathing without interrupting their movement forward.
This of course begs the query “How do seals and penguins breathe differently?”
One answer is that unlike seals, penguins are relatively small, so their lungs can hold only so much oxygen. Underwater compression affects the penguins’ lungs and air sacs. These crucial airways can only provide 1/3 of the necessary oxygen needed for each dive.
Can penguins hold their breath?
Most Penguins can hold their breath for around 20minutes, there are however few penguin species such as African, Adeile or Macaroni Penguins which can only hold their breath to dive for food only for 3-5minutes. Penguins need to hold their breath in order to hunt for their main prey which is fish.
This of course begs the inquiry “How long can Penguins hold their breath?”
The duration of which they can hold their breath depends on the species. Penguins have to go airborne to breathe and dive in to continue the hunting. Some penguin’s food may be available in the minimum reach in the ocean but certain species which prey on krill, squid, and fish have to dive deeper into their food.
However, the Emperor Penguin feeds on squid, fish or krill that reside deep under water, so this species of penguin can hold its breath for up to 20 minutes. Emperor penguins are also known to dive up to 1,800 feet to find their prey.
Another frequently asked question is “How far can a penguin go underwater?”.
The bigger size penguins can smoothly go 1700 ft. under the water with the hold of their breath for around 18 minutes quickly. Similarly, the small size penguins can only go about 200 ft. under the water, and it is not possible for them to hold their breath for more than one minute.
Are penguins good swimmers?
Penguins spend their maximum time of the life in the water, and this makes them the good swimmers too. According to a recent study, these seabirds spend around 76 % of their life in the water.
How do penguins find their prey?
Species like emperor penguins have to dive deeper into the ocean to find its prey such as squid, krill (shrimp-like crustacean) and tiny fishes. Emperor penguins can swim under the ocean for up to approximately 20 to 25 minutes. The long capability is because of their natural skill and most particularly they are the largest of all living penguins.