Learn All About the Unicorns of the Ocean

by Reety Subedi, age 8

Narwhals are popularly known as the “unicorns of the sea.” However, they are scientifically known as Monodon monoceros.

Narwhals eat flatfish, cod, shrimp, squid, and crab. Their food is found during their long dives. Narwhals use echolocation to locate their prey and they can dive down more than one mile deep in search of their food. It is unknown if their tusk is helpful during hunting or feeding.

Narwhals have a sausage-shaped body, round head, and no beak. Babies are dark gray, adults are gray and white, and older ones are white. Instead of a dorsal fin, narwhals have ridges located on their back and tail flukes that curve backward giving them a unique appearance adapted to life in Arctic waters. A well-known feature of the narwhal is their tusks, which can grow up to ten feet long. The tusk that narwhals grow is also considered a tooth. This tooth helps them feel or taste.

Male narwhals can grow up to two teeth. Some narwhals can end up with two tusks. However, only some females grow a tusk. Narwhals live in groups of ten to 20 members in the Arctic. During summer their groups become bigger and they migrate as a whole to Canada and Greenland.

Narwhals are well adapted to Arctic environments and rely on unique skills such as echolocation to navigate and hunt in icy waters. Despite their resilience, these creatures face threats due to pollution and sea ice melting. Conserving narwhals is crucial for protecting life in Arctic ecosystems and efforts continue to be made to increase the survival of these animals.

[Source Britannica]