The animal known to hold its breath the longest is the sperm whale. These incredible creatures can dive to depths of over 2,000 meters (about 6,500 feet) and can remain submerged for more than an hour, with some reports suggesting they can hold their breath for up to 90 minutes.
Their remarkable ability to hold their breath is due to several physiological adaptations. Sperm whales have a large-sized lung capacity, allowing them to take in vast amounts of oxygen in a single breath. They can also slow their heart rate significantly during dives, which helps conserve oxygen and allows them to stay underwater for extended periods.
In addition to sperm whales, other marine animals like the elephant seal and certain species of turtles are also known for their impressive breath-holding abilities, but none can match the sperm whale.