Great, there’s now another reason to be cautious of the vast ocean. A simulation has demonstrated the terrifying scenario of being swallowed whole by a sperm whale.
Typically, when people think about the ocean, their fears revolve around encountering animals like sharks, aside from mythical creatures like Cthulhu.
It’s understandable; who wants to be dragged beneath the water and torn apart or have chunks bitten off?
However, adding to the list of irrational fears, a simulation demonstrating what happens to your body when swallowed by a sperm whale suggests it deserves a spot.
Although encountering a sperm whale—a species found in all deep oceans from the equator to the Arctic and Antarctic pack ice—is highly unlikely while swimming, it’s better to be informed, right?
If you were unfortunate enough to be swallowed by this ocean giant, you would likely face a grim fate.
A video showcasing the simulation on the Zackdfilms YouTube channel has many people vowing to avoid the ocean for the foreseeable future. See it for yourself below:
The narrator explains: “If you were swallowed by a sperm whale you would be squeezed down its massive throat. You’d continue down its esophagus and into a series of stomach chambers that are filled with digestive acids.”
As terrible as it sounds, this is emphasized by the dummy in the simulation having a permanent screaming face. How delightful.
The narrator continues: “These acids would immediately start breaking down your body but even if you managed to avoid the acid, the lack of air inside the whale would quickly cause you to suffocate.”
So, how Jonah managed it remains a mystery.
Online commentators have noted that this horrifying scenario would unfold in darkness unless the whale had also swallowed some working lights.
“Bro I swear this channel gives me unlocking phobias,” one social media user commented.
“What makes it scarier is that there’s no light and the smell. Whenever you try to ask for help no one would hear you and you will just rot there,” another added.
“This is ACTUALLY traumatizing, not just a slightly weird animation,” remarked another.
Remarkably, a man experienced a similar ordeal and lived to recount it.
Massachusetts lobster diver Michael Packard was swallowed by a humpback whale while diving in 2021.
Fortunately, he did not endure the full ordeal shown in the animation and was spat out seconds later.