Here’s Why Whales Don’t Drown When They Gulp Down Food Underwater
Published:23 Jan.2022 Source:University of British Columbia
Ever wondered whether whales can burp, and why they don't drown when they gulp down gallons of water and krill? New UBC research may just hold the answer.
Researchers found that lunge-feeding whales have an 'oral plug', a fleshy bulb in their mouths that moves backwards to seal off the upper airways during feeding, while their larynx closes to block the lower airways.