How do whales breathe underwater?

Whales breathe air through blowholes located at the top of their heads, which allows them to take quick breaths while swimming or resting near the surface. Unlike fish, they cannot breathe underwater and must rise to the surface to exhale and inhale air efficiently. Their blowholes seal tightly due to strong muscles, preventing water from entering their lungs when submerged^[1][5].

Whales can consciously control their breathing and heart rate, which is crucial during deep dives. They efficiently exchange gases in their lungs, allowing them to hold their breath longer than many land mammals^[4][6]. This combination of adaptations enables whales to thrive in their aquatic environment^[2][3][4].