If you could choose one superpower from the animal kingdom, many people might wish for the ability to breathe underwater. Marine ecosystems have long fascinated humans, leading to the development of specialized equipment and techniques to extend the time spent exploring beneath the waves. Unlike humans, marine mammals have evolved remarkable adaptations that allow them to hold their breath for extended periods, enabling them to thrive in aquatic environments.
It was traditionally believed that mammals, including marine species, rely on rising carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in their blood to signal when they need to breathe. This is because oxygen levels are not directly perceptible to the brain.
However, a recent study published in Science by researchers from the Sea Mammal Research Unit at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland has revealed that wild seals possess a unique ability: they actually can directly sense their own blood-oxygen levels.
