The only known animal on Earth that does not breathe is Henneguya salminicola.
How Can an Animal Not Breathe?
Henneguya salminicola is a myxozoan parasite that lives within the muscle tissues of fish and underwater worms. According to the provided reference, its lifestyle inside dense tissue means it doesn't have much opportunity to convert oxygen into energy, thus eliminating the need for respiration.
Key Points About Henneguya salminicola:
- Parasitic Nature: H. salminicola is a parasite that resides within its host's tissues.
- Anaerobic Metabolism: It relies on an anaerobic process, meaning it doesn’t require oxygen to produce energy.
- Evolutionary Adaptation: Its lack of respiratory function is an evolutionary adaptation to its specific environment and lifestyle.
- Unique Animal: As of February 24, 2020, H. salminicola is the only known animal that has lost the ability to breathe.
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Animal | Henneguya salminicola |
| Breathing? | No |
| Lifestyle | Parasitic |
| Location | Muscle tissues of fish and underwater worms |
This unique adaptation sets it apart from nearly all other animals. It demonstrates that not all animals need to breathe in the way we typically understand it.
