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Narwhal — printable fact sheet
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Narwhal
Monodon monoceros
The narwhal (Monodon monoceros) is a distinctive Arctic cetacean, recognized primarily for the impressive spiral tusk that males exhibit. This tusk, which can reach lengths of up to 3 meters, is a modified canine tooth and serves multiple potential functions, from breaking sea i…
Did you know?
- Despite their intimidating tusks, narwhals have no functional teeth in their mouths and swallow prey whole.
- The narwhal's tusk is filled with sensitive nerve endings, allowing it to detect subtle changes in its environment, such as shifts in water temperature and pressure. Despite their remote habitat, narwhals are surprisingly social animals, often found in pods of 20 or more individuals. Unlike most whales, narwhals have a seasonal migration pattern that corresponds with the melting and freezing of Arctic ice, traveling as much as 1,600 kilometers annually. Contrary to popular belief, the narwhal's tusk is not used for fighting; rather, it is more likely a sensory organ, as evidenced by its intricate nerve structure.
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