Dolphins breathe through their blowhole. This is the specialised single nostril, which is situated at the top of their head. The process of filling and emptying its lungs happens in less than one fifth of a second. The blowhole functions at the speed of over 100 mph. There is a complex nerve that exists around the blowhole. This nerve can sense the pressure changes and this alerts the dolphin as to when the blowhole can be opened.
A dolphin breathes on an average count of 2 to 3 per minute and can hold their breath for around 10 minutes. They generally exhale at the surface of the water. At this point of time they quickly exhale and relax and close the muscular flap. As the dolphin exhales the seawater along with the respiratory gases is thrown up from the blowhole. Nearly 80 per cent of lung air exchanges during a respiratory process. The whole process of breathing takes around 0.3 seconds.
A dolphin breathes on an average count of 2 to 3 per minute and can hold their breath for around 10 minutes. They generally exhale at the surface of the water. At this point of time they quickly exhale and relax and close the muscular flap. As the dolphin exhales the seawater along with the respiratory gases is thrown up from the blowhole. Nearly 80 per cent of lung air exchanges during a respiratory process. The whole process of breathing takes around 0.3 seconds.