The Narwhal, a medium-sized and elusive whale, resides in the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, primarily found near Greenland, Canada, Norway, and Russia. Often dubbed the “unicorn of the sea,” Narwhals are known for the single long, sword-like spiral tusk that males possess, protruding from their heads.
Narwhal Information
Narwhals, warm-blooded mammals that breathe air, belong to the order Artiodactyla and the family Monodontidae. This family also encompasses the unique beluga whale, characterized by its lack of a dorsal fin and pure white coloration.
The narwhal’s tusk, made of ivory, is actually an elongated tooth that spirals out from the upper left side of their jaw and through their lip. These tusks can reach lengths of up to 10 feet (3 meters) and weigh as much as 22 pounds (10 kg).
On average, narwhals measure between 13 to 18 feet (4 to 5.5 meters) in length, excluding the males’ spiral tusks, and weigh between 1,760 to 3,530 pounds (800 to 1,600 kg).
Narwhal Scientific Information
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Monodon monoceros |
| Family | Monodontidae |
| Order | Cetacea |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Diet | Carnivorous (fish, squid, shrimp) |
| Habitat | Arctic waters |
| Average lifespan | 50-100 years |
| Length | 3.5-5 meters (males larger than females) |
| Weight | 1,000-1,600 kg (females lighter than males) |
| Distinguishing features | Single long tusk (modified tooth) usually only in males |
| Social behavior | Live in pods of 15-20, occasionally larger herds |
| Predators | Killer whales, polar bears (rarely), walruses (rarely) |
| Conservation status | Near Threatened |
| Interesting facts | Tusk is thought to be used for display, sensing temperature and pressure, and possibly breaking ice |
Narwhal Habitat
Narwhals predominantly inhabit the cracks within dense pack ice in the Greenlandic and Canadian Arctic for the majority of the year. While they follow predictable migration patterns like many other whale species, they uniquely remain within Arctic waters year-round. Their annual migrations take them from high Arctic summering grounds in coastal bays of West Greenland and Canada to offshore wintering grounds in deeper waters. This migration serves to evade being ensnared by fast ice and to remain near readily accessible food sources.
In the restricted winter months, narwhals feed on flatfish and halibut, both commonly found on the seafloor in Baffin Bay and Davis Strait. In summer, their diet includes cod and halibut, along with cuttlefish, shrimp, and squid whenever available.
Fascinating Facts About Narwhals
1. In 1577, the English explorer Martin Frobisher encountered a deceased narwhal, which he described as a ‘sea-unicorn’. This myth of unicorn horns had circulated in Europe for centuries before fading as experts became more familiar with the animals.
2. Both male and female narwhals are born with two small teeth embedded in their skulls, but only in males does the front left tooth grow into a spiral tusk. Very rarely do narwhals have two tusks, and tusks are seldom found on females, with an estimated 3% possessing a small tusk.
3. Approximately 1 in 500 male narwhals have two tusks, which grow from the front right side of their upper jaw.
4. The narwhal’s tusk is an ‘ivory’ canine tooth that spirals out of the upper left side of its jaw, extending up to 10 feet (3 meters) in length and weighing as much as 22 pounds (10 kg).
5. The tusks of narwhals primarily relate to mating, akin to the antlers of a stag. Males use them to assert social status, dominance over other males, and compete for mating opportunities.
6. Narwhals employ their tusks in hunting fish, as observed in drone footage captured by researchers from WWF-Canada. They appear to use their spiral tusks to flick and stun prey rather than stab them.
7. The tusks of narwhals exhibit sensory ability due to nerve endings, enabling them to detect changes in water salinity, temperature, and pressure.
8. Narwhals suck prey into their mouths and swallow them whole, as they possess virtually toothless mouths and rely on suction force to capture prey.
9. Female narwhals give birth to a calf once every three years, with pregnancies lasting approximately 14 months. Calves are born in the spring and are dependent on milk for around 20 months.
10. Narwhals frequently spend their winters in Davis Strait and Baffin Bay, where less than 5% of the water is open due to pack ice. Despite the icy conditions, these areas provide abundant halibut for feeding.
11. Narwhals rank among the deepest diving animals globally, capable of diving up to 1.8 kilometers (1.1 miles) in depth without returning to the surface for over 25 minutes.
12. They have evolved physiological adaptations to withstand immense water pressure, including compressible rib cages and a high concentration of oxygen-binding myoglobin in their muscles.
13. The name ‘narwhal’ originates from the Icelandic words ‘nar’ meaning ‘corpse’ (referring to their pale white color) and ‘hvalr’ (whale). Their scientific name, ‘Monodon monoceros’, derives from Latin meaning ‘one tooth, one horn’.
14. Narwhals are rarely encountered by humans due to their remote habitat in the coldest parts of the ocean. It took National Geographic photographer Paul Nicklen, who grew up in Arctic Nunavut, 10 years of experimentation with various techniques to finally locate and photograph them.
15. Narwhals travel in pods ranging from 2-3 individuals to several hundred. The average pod size is around 15-20 whales, but on occasion, multiple pods converge in social gatherings, swelling into groups numbering in the hundreds or even thousands.
16. With approximately 50% of their body composed of fat, narwhals boast a blubber layer measuring 3-4 inches thick. This substantial blubber serves as insulation against the extreme cold of Arctic waters, far exceeding the fat content of the average whale, which typically ranges between 20-30%.
17. Narwhals are susceptible to ice entrapment, known as ‘Sassats’. Failure to depart their summering grounds before autumn or abrupt weather changes such as shifts in wind or rapid temperature drops can result in narwhals becoming trapped by ice. This can lead to their breathing holes shrinking or freezing entirely, putting them at risk of drowning. In one notable incident in 1915 in West Greenland, over 1,000 narwhals were trapped beneath the ice.
18. The primary predators of narwhals are polar bears, which ambush them at breathing holes. However, they face additional threats from killer whales, Greenland sharks, and walruses.
FAQ
What is a narwhal?
A narwhal is a medium-sized whale species known for its distinctive spiral tusk, which is actually an elongated tooth.
Where do narwhals live?
Narwhals inhabit Arctic and Atlantic Ocean waters, primarily around Greenland, Canada, Norway, and Russia.
Why are narwhals called the “unicorn of the sea”?
They are called the “unicorn of the sea” due to the male narwhal’s long, spiral tusk, resembling a unicorn horn.
What do narwhals eat?
Narwhals feed on a variety of fish species, including flatfish, halibut, cod, and shrimp, depending on the season and availability.
How do narwhals use their tusks?
Narwhals use their tusks for various purposes, including mate selection, communication, and hunting prey. They have been observed using their tusks to stun fish before consuming them.
Are narwhals endangered?
Narwhals are considered to be near-threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to potential threats such as climate change, habitat loss, and hunting.
How long do narwhals live?
Narwhals have an estimated lifespan of about 50 years, although exact longevity varies among individuals.
Do narwhals migrate?
Yes, narwhals exhibit migratory behavior, moving between summering grounds in coastal areas and offshore wintering grounds in deeper waters to avoid pack ice and access food sources.
How do narwhals communicate?
Narwhals communicate through vocalizations, including clicks, whistles, and pulsed calls, which they produce using specialized air sacs near their blowhol
Are narwhals social animals?
Yes, narwhals are known to be social animals, often traveling in pods ranging from a few individuals to several hundred, particularly during migrations and breeding seasons.
