Facts About the Narwhale
By zteve t evans
The narwhale (Monodon monoceros), is sometimes called the “unicorn of the sea” because the males possess a long spiralling tusk that distinguishes it from other whales. They are also sometimes known as the narwhal and can grow up to 4.7 metres in length and weigh as much as 1.6 tonnes.
Narwhale Tusks
This tusk is actually a left upper tooth that pierces the lip and grows up to 3 metres in length. In centuries past this tusk was fraudulently sold as the horn of the unicorn. Traders went to great lengths to keep the location of these whales secret because there was so much profit to be made by selling the tusk.
A few narwhales grow two tusks and sometimes, though rarely, a female will also grow them. The purpose of the tasks is uncertain though they may be used for fighting over females, or as a visual symbol of strength and virility. They are not believed to be used for spear fishing.
Range of the Narwhale
Narwhales are an Arctic species and are found mainly above the Arctic Circle right to the edge of the permanent ice, moving with the expanding and receding ice sheet edge. Although they are found in the North Pacific side of the Arctic they are more common in the North Atlantic part of the Arctic, particularly north western Canada and Greenland.
Diet of the Narwhale
Its diet consists of a variety of squid, fish and crustaceans. Sometimes rocks have been found in their a stomach which are believed to have been sucked in when they feed near the ocean floor. Although narwhales are one of the toothed species of whales their dentition is not very well formed. They are believed to feed by closing in on prey and sucking it into their mouths which may be why rocks are found in their stomachs as they may be sucked in along with prey.
This tusk is actually a left upper tooth that pierces the lip and grows up to 3 metres in length. In centuries past this tusk was fraudulently sold as the horn of the unicorn. Traders went to great lengths to keep the location of these whales secret because there was so much profit to be made by selling the tusk.
A few narwhales grow two tusks and sometimes, though rarely, a female will also grow them. The purpose of the tasks is uncertain though they may be used for fighting over females, or as a visual symbol of strength and virility. They are not believed to be used for spear fishing.
Range of the Narwhale
Narwhales are an Arctic species and are found mainly above the Arctic Circle right to the edge of the permanent ice, moving with the expanding and receding ice sheet edge. Although they are found in the North Pacific side of the Arctic they are more common in the North Atlantic part of the Arctic, particularly north western Canada and Greenland.
Diet of the Narwhale
Its diet consists of a variety of squid, fish and crustaceans. Sometimes rocks have been found in their a stomach which are believed to have been sucked in when they feed near the ocean floor. Although narwhales are one of the toothed species of whales their dentition is not very well formed. They are believed to feed by closing in on prey and sucking it into their mouths which may be why rocks are found in their stomachs as they may be sucked in along with prey.
Diving
When in their winter habitat narwhales are known to dive to depths of 2,600 feet (800 metres) sometimes over 15 times every day. Some of these dives can be to depths of 4,600 feet (1500 metres) and can last up to 25 minutes including time spent on the bottom and the journey their and back.
Breeding
Females are ready to bear calves between the sixth to eighth years of their life and calve every 2-3 years. They have a gestation of around 14 - 15 months. Mating takes place amid the offshore pack ice in April or May and a single calf is born the following year between June and August. A newborn calf on average is about 5.2 feet (1.6 metres) in length and dark grey in color. When first born the calf has a thin layer of blubber which quickly thickens as they feed on the fat-rich milk from their mother. The calf will be dependent on this milk for about 20 months but during this time the calf will be learning the skills of survival from its mother.
Longevity of Narwhales
Narwhales are known to live up to 50 years of age. Their greatest enemy is humans but polar bears can sometimes kill mainly young narwhales at their breathing holes and orca whales sometimes band together to attack a lone narwhale. Sick or wounded adults and young narwhales sometimes fall victim to walruses and Greenland sharks, though rarely. Narwhales tend to hide under the ice rather than rely on speed for escape from predators. The hunting of narwhales
For many centuries indigenous people living in the Arctic Circle have hunted narwhales for their tusks, meat and other products and the Inuits are still allowed to hunt them though for subsistence only. In some areas of their habitat they are increasingly threatened by man-made pollutants as well as gas and oil exploration. It is estimated that the world population of narwhales is about 75,000 and they are coming under increasing threat from human activity and global warming as the ice melts and the seas become more polluted.
When in their winter habitat narwhales are known to dive to depths of 2,600 feet (800 metres) sometimes over 15 times every day. Some of these dives can be to depths of 4,600 feet (1500 metres) and can last up to 25 minutes including time spent on the bottom and the journey their and back.
Breeding
Females are ready to bear calves between the sixth to eighth years of their life and calve every 2-3 years. They have a gestation of around 14 - 15 months. Mating takes place amid the offshore pack ice in April or May and a single calf is born the following year between June and August. A newborn calf on average is about 5.2 feet (1.6 metres) in length and dark grey in color. When first born the calf has a thin layer of blubber which quickly thickens as they feed on the fat-rich milk from their mother. The calf will be dependent on this milk for about 20 months but during this time the calf will be learning the skills of survival from its mother.
Longevity of Narwhales
Narwhales are known to live up to 50 years of age. Their greatest enemy is humans but polar bears can sometimes kill mainly young narwhales at their breathing holes and orca whales sometimes band together to attack a lone narwhale. Sick or wounded adults and young narwhales sometimes fall victim to walruses and Greenland sharks, though rarely. Narwhales tend to hide under the ice rather than rely on speed for escape from predators. The hunting of narwhales
For many centuries indigenous people living in the Arctic Circle have hunted narwhales for their tusks, meat and other products and the Inuits are still allowed to hunt them though for subsistence only. In some areas of their habitat they are increasingly threatened by man-made pollutants as well as gas and oil exploration. It is estimated that the world population of narwhales is about 75,000 and they are coming under increasing threat from human activity and global warming as the ice melts and the seas become more polluted.
References and Attributions
Copyright zteve t evans 26th of June 2014
Copyright zteve t evans 26th of June 2014
- File:Narwhals breach.jpg From Wikimedia Commons
- Narwhal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Narwhal - National Geographic
- BBC Nature - Narwhal videos, news and facts