Narwhal
Monodon monoceros
IUCN: Least ConcernAbout Narwhal
Narwhals are medium-sized whales famous for their long, spiral tusks that can reach up to 10 feet. These 'unicorns of the sea' are among the most mysterious whales, living year-round in the Arctic where they're rarely observed.
The narwhal's tusk is actually an elongated left canine tooth that grows in a spiral pattern. It can reach 10 feet long and contains millions of nerve endings. Only about 15% of females grow tusks, compared to nearly all males.
🌊 Habitat
Narwhals live in the Arctic waters of Canada, Greenland, Norway, and Russia. They're closely associated with sea ice and spend winters in deep offshore waters beneath heavy pack ice, using cracks to surface and breathe.
🦐 Diet & Feeding
Narwhals feed primarily on Arctic cod, Greenland halibut, shrimp, and squid. They hunt at depths of 800-1,500 meters and may use suction feeding. Winter prey capture is remarkable given the near-total darkness and heavy ice cover.
🐋 Behavior
Narwhals are social, living in groups of 10-20 individuals that can aggregate into larger herds of hundreds or thousands. Males sometimes 'tusk' (cross tusks) with each other, possibly for dominance or social bonding. They're extremely vocal, producing clicks, whistles, and other sounds.
👶 Reproduction
Females give birth to a single calf, usually in spring, after a 14-15 month gestation. Calves nurse for 1-2 years and stay with their mothers for several years. Narwhals may live 50 years or more.
🛡️ Conservation Status
Narwhals are listed as Least Concern but face increasing threats from climate change, which is rapidly altering their Arctic habitat. Reduced sea ice affects their prey and exposes them to new predators (orcas) and human activities.
Fun Facts About Narwhal
The narwhal's tusk is actually a tooth with millions of nerve endings
Their tusks can grow up to 10 feet long and are almost always left-sided
About 1 in 500 narwhals grows two tusks
Narwhals can dive to depths of 1,500 meters and stay under for 25 minutes
Medieval Europeans believed narwhal tusks were unicorn horns with magical properties