Quck answer
There is no confirmed case of a whale swallowing a human alive. While there have been incidents of whales accidentally swallowing humans, they typically spit them out due to their size and anatomy. In 1891, there was a reported incident of a whaling boat being attacked by a sperm whale and one crew member was thought to have been swallowed, but this account has been disputed. Overall, it is extremely rare for a whale to deliberately attack a human and even rarer for them to swallow one whole.
Animal Facts
Contrary to popular belief, being swallowed by a whale is not a common occurrence and survival inside a whale’s belly is highly unlikely. Although there is a story about a sailor named James Bartley who was supposedly swallowed by a whale and survived, it has been proven to be false. In fact, there are no records of anyone ever being swallowed alive by a whale. While baleen whales have small esophagi and are designed to eat small prey, toothed whales like sperm whales could swallow a human whole. However, the journey would likely be fatal due to the whale’s stomach acid and lack of air. In short, the chances of being swallowed by a whale and living to tell the tale are slim.
It is highly probable that you may be eaten or injured while attempting to pass through the sharp teeth of a sperm whale, which are similar in size to a large steak knife. Many whalers have lost their hands or lives due to these vicious teeth [source: Shattuck].
Originally Published: Apr 22, 2015
Whale FAQs
Has anyone ever been swallowed by a whale?
No modern-day incidents of humans being swallowed by whales have been reported. However, in the 19th century, legend has it that James Bartley was swallowed by a sperm whale but survived in the whale’s stomach. However, research has proven this story to be false as there was no one with that name on the ship in question.
Is it possible to survive if a whale swallows you?
It is highly unlikely that you would survive as the whale’s stomach acid would quickly dissolve you, and you would also suffer from a lack of oxygen.
Has a whale ever killed a human?
No fatal attacks on humans by whales have been reported in the wild. This is because whales tend to keep their distance and mostly keep to themselves. However, in captivity, whales have caused several fatal attacks on humans.
How wide can a whale’s mouth open?
Blue whales can stretch their mouths up to four times their regular size and can dislocate their jaws to open up to a 90-degree angle. This unique anatomy allows them to swallow as many krill as possible.
 
More Information
Related Articles
- How Whaling Works
- How Whales Work
- How Baleen Whales Work
- What happens to whales when they die?
- Do whales and dolphins sleep?
Sources
- Eveleth, Rose. “Could a Whale Accidentally Swallow You? It is Possible.” Smithsonian. Feb. 25, 2013. (Oct. 15, 2014). http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/could-a-whale-accidentally-swallow-you-it-is-possible-26353362/?no-ist
- Naked Scientists, The. “Could a Human Survive Being Swallowed by a Whale or Big Fish, Like Jonah?” June 27, 2010. (Oct. 15, 2014). http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/questions/question/2698/
- Rice, Tony. “Can Squid Fly?” Bloomsbury. 2012.
- Shattuck, Ben. “Swallowed by a Whale – A True Tale?” Salon. Jan. 15, 2012. (Oct. 15, 2014). http://www.salon.com/2012/01/15/swallowed_by_a_whale_a_true_tale/
FAQ
1. Has a whale ever swallowed a human alive?
There is no documentation of a whale swallowing a human alive. While some species of whales have been known to accidentally ingest small animals or objects, their throats are not large enough to swallow a human whole. Additionally, whales are not aggressive towards humans and do not view them as prey.
2. Can a whale accidentally swallow a person?
While it is highly unlikely, there have been rare instances where a whale has accidentally swallowed a person. These incidents typically involve a diver or swimmer being too close to a feeding or distressed whale. However, even in these cases, the whale’s throat is not large enough to swallow the person whole and they are usually able to escape after being coughed up.
3. Do whales attack humans?
No, whales do not attack humans. Whales are generally peaceful creatures and do not view humans as a threat or prey. In fact, many species of whales are known to be curious and friendly towards humans, often approaching boats and swimmers.
4. What is the largest species of whale?
The largest species of whale is the blue whale. They can grow up to 100 feet in length and weigh over 200,000 pounds. Despite their massive size, blue whales feed on small shrimp-like creatures called krill.
5. How do whales communicate?
Whales communicate through a variety of sounds, including songs, whistles, and clicks. These sounds can travel long distances through water and are used for navigation, finding food, and socializing with other whales.
6. What is whale watching?
Whale watching is the practice of observing whales in their natural habitat. This is done through boat tours or from shorelines in areas where whales are known to frequent. Whale watching can be a popular tourist attraction and is also used by researchers to study whale behavior.
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