Horn fish
Narwhals
ocean unicorn
ocean unicorn
The "unicorn of the ocean," the narwhal
(Monodon monoceros) is one of the rarest whales in the world. Narwhals are very elusive and mysterious in nature, and very distinct in appearance due to the large horn-like tusk on their faces. The tusk is actually a tooth that grows from the upper jaw of male narwhals.
Basic Facts About NarwhalsNarwhals are mid-sized whales living in the cold waters of the Arctic Circle near northern Canada and Greenland. They grow between 4 and 6 m (12-20 ft.) in length – a similar size to their relative, the beluga whale.
But they are easily distinguished from their beluga kin. Male narwhals possess a great spiraled tooth that projects from their heads. The long, hornlike tooth can reach up to 3 m (10 ft.) in length and grows continually to replace wear.
Researchers are unsure of the exact purpose of the tooth. Some believe it serves as an attractive ornament for mating, while others believe it is used as a weapon to fight rivals. One researcher concluded that the tooth has the ability to detect changes in water temperature and pressure.
Narwhals also have a second tooth that measures about 30 cm
(1 ft.) long, but it remains embedded in the skull. Some females have been
spotted with a protruding tooth, though not nearly as long as that of the males.
There have even been some males with two long protruding teeth.
Narwhals also differ from belugas in skin color. Narwhals have black and white mottled skin. Appearing to resemble the bodies of drowned soldiers, the name narwhal derives from the old Norse word nar meaning corpse.
At birth, narwhals are approximately 1.5 m (5 ft.) in
length. At maturity, which is between 6 and 9 years, females grow to about 3.5
m (11.5 ft.) in length, and weigh around 1,000 kg (2,200 lb.). Males reach
between 4 and 6 m (13 and 20 ft.) and can weigh 1,600 kg (3,500 lb.) Once they are mature, females will give birth to a calf once
every 3 years. The pregnancy lasts for about 14 months, and calves are born in
the spring.
Like many other whales, narwhals travel in groups. Their
pods average 15-20 whales. Sometimes multiple pods will meet in social groups
of up to 100 whales, although it is hard to get exact numbers. Narwhals have
proven difficult for researchers to tag and track, mainly due to the cold and
icy water conditions and the fact that narwhals do not come very close to
shore.
Narwhals feed more regularly in the winter, consuming fish
like cod and halibut, shrimp, and squid. Preying on creatures primarily on the
bottom of the sea, they dive on average 800 m (.5 mi.), but can go twice that.
The dives last around 25 minutes. In the summer, narwhals feed rarely, having
stored up enough energy during the winter feeding season. They return to the
same feeding grounds each year.Narwhals are preyed upon by polar bears and walruses if they
get trapped by shifting ice. Off shore they are attacked by orcas, to whom they
are also related. In the summer, narwhals are also hunted by Inuits using
kayaks and spears.
Conservation Status
Narwhals are currently considered near-threatened. Exact
data is not known regarding the number of narwhals in the world. There are
concerns with specific populations near the coasts of Eastern Canada and
Greenland due to intense hunting. Many of the areas inhabited by narwhals are
also subject to drilling and mining, which produces waste that is dangerous to
all animal populations.
The "unicorn of the ocean," the narwhal
(Monodon monoceros) is one of the rarest whales in the world. Narwhals are very elusive and mysterious in nature, and very distinct in appearance due to the large horn-like tusk on their faces. The tusk is actually a tooth that grows from the upper jaw of male narwhals.
(Monodon monoceros) is one of the rarest whales in the world. Narwhals are very elusive and mysterious in nature, and very distinct in appearance due to the large horn-like tusk on their faces. The tusk is actually a tooth that grows from the upper jaw of male narwhals.
Diet
Narwhals consume squid, fish and shrimp.
Population
Narwhal population estimates indicate around 45,000-50,000
individuals.
Range
Narwhals are mostly found in the Atlantic and Russian waters
of the Arctic. They have been known to travel around Greenland to eastern
Russia.
Behavior
Narwhals generally move slowly, but are known to be
remarkably quick when chased by predators. They prefer to stay near the surface
of the ocean, but can dive up to 5,000 feet. Narwhals are migratory and move
closer to the shore in the summer, while moving out to sea and living under
packed ice in the winter months.Most narwhals travel in pods of 10-100 individuals and
sometimes in much larger groups. They communicate with various sounds like
squeals, trills and clicks. The males often cross tusks in a behavior known as
‘tusking’. This may be a form of dueling, friendly contact or cleaning the
tooth.
Reproduction
Mating Season: March to May.
Gestation: Up to 16 months.
Litter Size: 1 calf.
Females give birth every 3 years or so and can nurse their calves for over a year. Calves tend to be brown with no spots.
Mating Season: March to May.
Gestation: Up to 16 months.
Litter Size: 1 calf.
Females give birth every 3 years or so and can nurse their calves for over a year. Calves tend to be brown with no spots.
Threats
Narwhals are mostly hunted by polar bears and orcas. Native Inuit people
are also allowed to hunt this whale legally.In addition, the narwhal’s habitat
is threatened by the effects of climate
change and pollution. Their small population size, limited range, and
reliance on Arctic fish that are also being affected by climate-induced
available food changes, make them extremely vulnerable. One recent study
concluded that the narwhal might be even more sensitive to
the impacts of climate change than the polar bear.
Narwhal, a toothed whale found in arctic waters near Canada
and Greenland. The male narwhal has a long, spiralled tusk. The tusk is formed
by the upper left canine tooth, which grows forward instead of downward and
protrudes through the skin. The tusk is sometimes found on females, and some
narwhals have two tusks. A narwhal's tusk is as long as nine feet (2.7 m) and
is used defensively against predators. Males also use the tusk to fight other
males during mating season.
For centuries, the narwhal was widely hunted for its tusk as
a source of ivory. Today, a small number are killed by Eskimos for ivory and
for food. Narwhal tusks were once commonly believed to be horns from the
legendary unicorns.The narwhal is mottled brown or gray above and white below.
It has a blunt snout and short flippers with rounded tips; it lacks a dorsal
fin. The male reaches a length of about 20 feet (6 m) from head to tail and
weighs up to 3,900 pounds (1,800 kg); the female is slightly smaller.
Narwhals live in groups of 3 to 20 individuals. They
communicate by emitting a variety of sounds. Like other toothed whales, they
use echolocation, which is similar in principle to sonar, to avoid obstacles and
to locate food. Narwhals feed mainly on fish, squid, and shrimp.
Which Toothed Whale Has the Fewest Teeth?
The honor of being the whale with the fewest teeth goes to
the narwhal. The male narwhal’s tooth, or tusk, grows to about 8 feet (2.4
meters) long. It is made of ivory. But no one is sure what the tusk is for. It
may be used in fighting. Or, it may be just for show.
All narwhals lack teeth inside their mouths. They probably
capture prey by sucking. And, since they can’t chew, they must then swallow the
prey whole. Their prey includes fish, shrimps, and squid.
Although narwhals don’t have teeth inside their mouths, they
do have teeth. Both males and females have two teeth buried in their upper
jaws. Only one tooth—the left tooth of the male—ever grows so that it can be
seen. But what a tooth it is!
The narwhal is Monodon monoceros of the family Monodontidae.
Narwhals have small rounded heads, short flippers with
upturned tips, and no dorsal fin but an uneven dorsal ridge along the spine.
Males are larger than the females, with largest whales reaching roughly
16 feet (4.9 meters). Skin color changes with age; newborns are blotchy
slate or bluish gray, juveniles become completely bluish-black, adults are
mottled gray and old narwhals are nearly all white.
Interesting Facts:
- Narwhals are one of three whale species that spend their entire lives in the Arctic—the others being bowhead and beluga whales.
- Narwhals are animals of myth and legend and could have been the basis for the mythical unicorn. Narwhal males (and some females) have two teeth, the left of which grows into a long clockwise-spiraled tusk extending forward from the head.
- Scars on narwhal males suggest that they use their tusks to joust. Narwhals are hunted for their ivory tusks, blubber, and meat.
The Narwhal (meaning "corpse whale" in Old Norse)
is a rarely seen Arctic whale. This social whale is known for the very long
tooth that males have. Very little is known about this whale.
THE TOOTH
All narwhals have two teeth in their upper jaw. After the first year of a male narwhal's life, its left tooth grows outward, spirally. This long, single tooth projects from its upper jaw and can grow to be 7-10 feet (2-3 m) long. Tusks are usually twisted in a counterclockwise direction and have a hollow interior. The tusk's function is uncertain, perhaps used as a formidable jousting weapon in courtship and dominance rivalry, in obtaining food, and/or for channeling and amplifying sonar pulses (which they emit). The tusk is not used in hunting. Tusking is a behavior in which male narwhals rub their tusks together - perhaps determining dominance in the group.
THE TOOTH
All narwhals have two teeth in their upper jaw. After the first year of a male narwhal's life, its left tooth grows outward, spirally. This long, single tooth projects from its upper jaw and can grow to be 7-10 feet (2-3 m) long. Tusks are usually twisted in a counterclockwise direction and have a hollow interior. The tusk's function is uncertain, perhaps used as a formidable jousting weapon in courtship and dominance rivalry, in obtaining food, and/or for channeling and amplifying sonar pulses (which they emit). The tusk is not used in hunting. Tusking is a behavior in which male narwhals rub their tusks together - perhaps determining dominance in the group.
Long ago, narwhal sightings reinforced (or started) the
unicorn legends. In medieval times, narwhal tusks that washed ashore were
thought to be from the mythical unicorn.
SIZE
Narwhals can grow to be about 16 feet (4.9 m) long (not counting the tooth), and weigh about 1.8 tons (1.6 tonnes). Females are slightly smaller, averaging about 13 feet (4 m) long, and weighing 1 ton (0.9 tonnes). At birth, narwhals are about 5 feet (1.5 m) long and 175 pounds (80 kg).
Narwhals can grow to be about 16 feet (4.9 m) long (not counting the tooth), and weigh about 1.8 tons (1.6 tonnes). Females are slightly smaller, averaging about 13 feet (4 m) long, and weighing 1 ton (0.9 tonnes). At birth, narwhals are about 5 feet (1.5 m) long and 175 pounds (80 kg).
SKIN AND SHAPE
Narwhal means "corpse whale" in Old Norse; this is perhaps a description of their skin, which is bluish-gray with white blotches (young narwhals are brown). Narwhals have a cylindrical body (with no dorsal fin) and a round head with a small mouth on their blunt snout. This compact body shape plus a thick layer of blubber retains heat in the icy Arctic waters in which they live.
Narwhal means "corpse whale" in Old Norse; this is perhaps a description of their skin, which is bluish-gray with white blotches (young narwhals are brown). Narwhals have a cylindrical body (with no dorsal fin) and a round head with a small mouth on their blunt snout. This compact body shape plus a thick layer of blubber retains heat in the icy Arctic waters in which they live.
HABITAT and MIGRATION
Narwhals live in the icy waters of the Arctic seas. Narwhals winter in deep-water beneath ice pack in groups of 5-10 animals; in summer they migrate to shallow, ice-free summer grounds where they congregate in larger groups. They rarely stray far from ice. In summer they infrequently enter estuaries, deep fjords, and bays.
Narwhals live in the icy waters of the Arctic seas. Narwhals winter in deep-water beneath ice pack in groups of 5-10 animals; in summer they migrate to shallow, ice-free summer grounds where they congregate in larger groups. They rarely stray far from ice. In summer they infrequently enter estuaries, deep fjords, and bays.
DIVING
Narwhals can dive down to 1500 m deep; they are among the deepest-diving mammals. The duration of a narwhal dive is from 7-25 minutes.
VOCALIZATION
Narwhals are a very vocal species of whale, making clicks, squeals, and whistles to communicate and/or navigate.
Narwhals are a very vocal species of whale, making clicks, squeals, and whistles to communicate and/or navigate.
LIFE SPAN
Narwhals maximum life span is about 50 years.
Narwhals maximum life span is about 50 years.
DIET
Narwhals eat fish , squid , shrimp, and other marine animals. They feed near the sea floor, deep under the pack ice of the Arctic.
SOCIAL GROUPS
Pods (social groups of whales) of 4-20 narwhals have been observed; some groups consist of just one sex and others contain both sexes. Many pods may travel together, forming very large groups.
Narwhals eat fish , squid , shrimp, and other marine animals. They feed near the sea floor, deep under the pack ice of the Arctic.
SOCIAL GROUPS
Pods (social groups of whales) of 4-20 narwhals have been observed; some groups consist of just one sex and others contain both sexes. Many pods may travel together, forming very large groups.
POPULATION COUNT
It is estimated that there are roughly 10,000 to 45,000 narwhals. Narwhals are preyed upon by man (Inuit hunters legally hunt narwhals), polar bears, orcas, sharks, and walruses.
It is estimated that there are roughly 10,000 to 45,000 narwhals. Narwhals are preyed upon by man (Inuit hunters legally hunt narwhals), polar bears, orcas, sharks, and walruses.
REPRODUCTION
The Narwhal's gestation period is 10-16 months. Calves are brown and have no spots (unlike adults who are blue-gray with whitish spots). Calves are nursed for about 4 months after birth.
CLASSIFICATION
Narwhals (Monodon monoceros) are toothed whales (Suborder Odontoceti). They are one of 76 cetacean species, and are marine mammals.
Narwhals (Monodon monoceros) are toothed whales (Suborder Odontoceti). They are one of 76 cetacean species, and are marine mammals.
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