Narwhal
Narwhal Facts
| Size | Up to 15.4 feet (4.7 meters) |
| Speed | Unknown |
| Weight | Up to 1.6 tons |
| Lifespan | 30-55 years |
| Food | Fish, prawns, jellyfish |
| Predators | Orcas, polar bears, Greenland sharks |
| Habitat | Arctic oceans, pack ice |
| Order | Whales |
| Suborder | Toothed whales |
| Family | Monodontidae |
| Scientific name | Monodon monoceros |
| Characteristics | Toothed whale with a tusk |
Main Characteristics
The narwhal is a small whale known for its long tusk. It is often referred to as the "unicorn of the sea."
Name
"Nar" is Norwegian and means "corpse". With increasing age, more and more white spots (age marks) appear on the skin of the narwhal – until it resembles a corpse.
Distribution and Habitat
Narwhals prefer cold waters. During the winter, many animals wander south in order to evade the icy temperatures. Yet, narwhals prefer cold climates and move towards the pack ice during the summer. They use holes in the pack ice to breathe air.
Anatomy and Appearance
Tusk
The most distinctive feature of the narwhal is its long tusk, which is actually the left incisor tooth in the upper jaw. This tooth grows straight through the upper lip and has a spiral structure. It can reach lengths of up to 10 feet (3 meters) and weigh between 18-22 pounds (8-10 kg). Interestingly, narwhals can have two of these tusks, although the right one often becomes underdeveloped and may fall out. Only male narwhals possess this tusk.
Diet
The narwhal hoovers up 99-176 pounds (45-80 kg) of fish, prawns and jellyfish every day. When hunting its prey, it dives up to 1,640 feet (500 meters) deep and utters click noises to locate its food.
Behavior
Hunting Strategy
Skewering its Prey?
Of course one might think the narwhal could use its tooth just like a skewer. But this is not the case. The narwhal sucks its prey into its mouth and swallows it whole.
No, It Stuns its Prey!
Even though narwhals don't spear their prey, they do use their tusks for hunting. They deliver side swipes or strikes to fish and then check with the tip of their tusk to see if the fish is stunned. Once confirmed, they suck in their catch through their mouths and swallow it whole.
Senses and Abilities
What Is the Purpose of the Narwhal's Long Tusk?
An Ice Pick?
In the past people thought that the narwhal used it to make holes into the pack ice. But his tooth could break off and this would be tragic as it does not grow again and the narwhal could catch serious infections and die. Of course this would be rather undesirable for the narwhal.
A Sensory Organ
The tooth contains about 10 million nerve ends. They possibly enable the narwhal to measure the temperature and pressure of the water, the salinity and the number of prey fish.
And a Toy!
Narwhals exhibit fascinating behavior that is interpreted as playful. They explore objects using their tusks, even though this activity does not contribute to their survival.
Social Use of the Tusk
Narwhals emerge from the water, raising their tusks towards the sky and crossing them with those of their peers. This action somewhat resembles a lightsaber duel from Star Wars. They may be using this behavior to assess rivals or to impress potential mates for reproduction.
Origin and Evolution
Is The Narwhal Some Kind of Unicorn?
In former times, the tusk of the narwhal was seen as the only evidence for the existence of unicorns. The tusk was highly sought after and so valuable that it was worth its weight in gold.
Animals in the Same Biome:
- Arctic Tern
- Atlantic Puffin
- Greenland Shark
- Octopus
- Polar Bear
- Walrus
Sources:
- „Use of tusks by narwhals, Monodon monoceros, in foraging, exploratory, and play behavior“ (https://www.frontiersin.org)
