• News
    • Tech News
    • AI
  • Gadgets
    • Apple
    • iPhone
  • Gaming
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
  • Science
    • News
    • Space
  • Streaming
    • Netflix
  • Vehicles
    • Car News
  • Social Media
    • WhatsApp
    • YouTube
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
TikTok
Snapchat
WhatsApp
Submit Your Content
Footage of man from 'genetically mutated tribe' that have adapted to being underwater is blowing people's minds

Home> Science> News

Published 11:49 18 Jun 2024 GMT+1

Footage of man from 'genetically mutated tribe' that have adapted to being underwater is blowing people's minds

The tribe have unusually large spleens that enable them to stay submerged.

Rikki Loftus

Rikki Loftus

Diving into the depths usually comes with a mountain of equipment and multiple safety checks.

Oxygen cylinders are strapped to backs, weights are used to keep our balance and to stop us from floating helplessly to the surface.

We put fins on our feet to emulate the way fish glide through the water.

Advert

Before the plunge, ‘buddy checks’ are standard practice to make sure everything, including the breathing regulator in our mouths, are all in place.

But for one tribe, all of that goes out of the window, and footage of a man effortlessly swimming and even walking underwater has people baffled.

The Bajau tribe are ‘genetically mutated’ and that enables them to live an amphibious life.

Advert

For over 1,000 years, the tribe have lived off the coasts of Indonesia, living in houseboats and spending much of their time in the sea.

Over time, they’ve adapted to their lifestyle and have become highly skilled at free diving and fishing with spears.

They also possess extraordinary lung capacities and strong swimming skills.

The YouTube video shows a man descend 20m into the water to the sea floor where his heart rate slows to just 30 beats per minute.

Advert

The tribe have genetically adapted to being underwater (BBC)
The tribe have genetically adapted to being underwater (BBC)

He seems to casually stride along the bottom of the sea as though he’s hunting on land and manages to hold his breath for five minutes before returning to the surface for air.

The clip has wowed viewers and, taking to the YouTube comment section, one impressed user posted: “Imagine being a diver with all the gear and this chaps suddenly appears walking on the bottom of the sea waving like he's on a morning stroll LOL.”

While a second commented: “Amazing how well he has adapted to his environment to survive, a true inspiration.”

Advert

Another added: “Respect, I would've drowned like 10 times in that time.”

A fourth said: “This is seriously incredible , just to see him walking on the ground underwater like its nothing is just insane!”

The man is filmed walking along the sea floor (BBC)
The man is filmed walking along the sea floor (BBC)

And another person commented: “For those who are wondering how he’s able to train himself to do this, he has been doing this work ever since he was a child. Primitive fishing is one of the main source of livelihood and food for Badjaos and other tribes in our islands. This “basic” exercise for them is deadly but it puts food in their table.”

Advert

Unbelievably, members of the tribe can dive up to 230 feet with just a set of weights and a pair of wooden goggles.

They also have unusually large spleens that enable them to stay submerged for long periods of time.

The tribe have unusually large spleens that enable them to stay submerged for long periods of time (BBC)
The tribe have unusually large spleens that enable them to stay submerged for long periods of time (BBC)

When a body is underwater, the spleen contracts to release oxygenated red blood cells into the circulation. This increases the oxygen in the blood by nine percent. This genetic advantage allows the Bajau to have superior underwater endurance.

While we don't know exactly how long they can stay underwater, some have claimed to have spent as long as 13 minutes.

The incredible footage shows just how ‘superhuman’ the tribe have become.

Featured Image Credit: BBC
Science
Social Media
Youtube
News

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
4 hours ago
a day ago
  • Catherine Falls Commercial/Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Identical twin study shows shocking results after one twin smoked while the other didn't

    It details the effects smoking has on your appearance

    Science
  • David Wall/Getty Images
    2 hours ago

    NASA scientist reveals bizarre reason why aliens haven't contacted Earth yet

    A more sinister theory is the Dark Forest hypothesis that suggests we need to hide

    Science
  • Halfpoint Images via Getty
    4 hours ago

    Scientists have revealed maximum age humans can live to

    Studies have shown how long the body can last

    Science
  • Sky News Australia
    a day ago

    Awkward moment Elon Musk crashes SpaceX launch livestream leaves viewers pointing out same detail

    It's been a tumultuous year for the world's richest man

    Science
  • How phone chargers actually work is blowing people's minds
  • Instagram feature hidden in your DMs is blowing people's minds
  • Former weed addict shares everything that happens to your body after giving up drug
  • Terrifying footage of 400ft deep 'glory hole' that people have been 'sucked into' is 'plaguing nightmares'