What is a Narwhal?

Narwhals are a medium-sized whale species found in the Arctic Ocean. These mysterious, medium-sized whales are one of the least understood cetaceans and have captivated humans for centuries because of their unique appearance. Narwhals are also known as the “unicorns of the sea” because of their long, tusk-like tooth. Let’s take a closer look at these fascinating cetaceans.

Appearance and Anatomy

The narwhal is a truly unique looking creature, often referred to as the “unicorn of the sea” due to its prominent, twisted tusk-like tooth that grows out of its upper jaw. The narwhal’s long tusk is actually an enlarged upper left canine tooth that can grow up to 9ft long! They also have two other teeth on the lower jaw, two flippers and a tail fluke. Narwhals are usually between 13 and 15ft long and can weigh up to 1.6 tons. They are usually black and white with a slate gray or brownish back.

Behavior and Habitat

Unlike many other whales, narwhals spend their lives exclusively in the Arctic Ocean and the surrounding waters in and around the Arctic Circle. Narwhals are a deeply social and family oriented species build social bonds and they gather together in large groups called pods. Narwhals migrate between these groups, sometimes following the shrinking ice pack in the summer. They spend the winter months under the ice pack.

Narwhals mainly feed on Arctic cod and capelin, as well as other small fish and squid. Like most marine mammals they also dive to considerable depths and can stay underwater for up to 20 minutes. They are very noisy animals and emit a wide range of sounds.

Conclusion

Although narwhals are hard to observe due to their elusive nature and the risky Arctic environment, these amazing creatures are the real-life version of the mythical unicorns! For those who are keen to getting to know these iconic species better, there is much research that needs to be done to better understand them. Narwhals are truly amazing creatures of the sea and it is fascinating to learn about their mysterious behavior and habitat.