Dolphin Or Sloth, Who Can Hold Their Breath For Longer?

These sluggish creatures are able to hold their breath for an incredible 40 minutes. In comparison, a dolphin can hold their breath for approximately 10 minutes and the world record for a human is 24 minutes and 32 seconds.

This (literally) breathtaking skill is particularly useful when swimming. While sloths have earned themselves a reputation for being the couch potatoes of the animal kingdom, they are surprisingly graceful (and quick!) underwater. Admittedly, they aren’t going to break any records. But it is three times the speed they can amass on land. 

So, how exactly can they hold their breath for so long? Sloths have a freakishly slow metabolism – according to the BBC, it can take them an entire month to digest a single leaf. While their slow metabolism may be at least partially responsible for their sluggish demeanor, by dampening it even further, they can reduce their heart rate by more than two thirds and extend the amount of time they can remain underwater without breathing.

The sloth’s slow metabolism also comes with another added benefit. According to The Sloth Conservation Foundation, their stomach, filled with the gas released from fermenting leaves, serves as a handy floatation device that keeps them buoyant when swimming. 

While certainly impressive, there are other animals with the capacity to hold their breath even longer than a sloth. Take the elephant seal, who can hold their breath for up to 2 hours during deep sea dives. Even more spectacular is the current record holder – a curved beak whale that held its breath for 3 hours and 42 minutes.  

But sloths do have other special skills that bely their gentle appearance. These animals are also surprisingly strong – three times stronger than the average person, according to The Sloth Conservation Foudation.