What is the deepest-diving whale species?

The deepest-diving whale species is Cuvier's beaked whale, also called the goose-beaked whale, Ziphius cavirostris. It holds the deepest documented diving record for any mammal.

Researchers have recorded a Cuvier's beaked whale descending to about 2,992 metres, or 9,816 feet, below the ocean surface. The species also holds the documented mammalian record for dive duration, with one dive lasting 222 minutes. These exceptional measurements come from electronic tags attached to individual whales, so they represent recorded extremes rather than the duration of every dive.

Cuvier's beaked whales usually hunt squid and other deep-water prey in offshore waters. They use echolocation at depth and commonly make a series of shorter dives after returning from a very deep one. Their bodies conserve oxygen through adaptations such as slowed heart rate and large oxygen stores in blood and muscle.

Sperm whales are also famous deep divers and can exceed 2,000 metres, which is why they are a common quiz alternative. However, the deepest documented whale dive belongs to Cuvier's beaked whale.