Although narwhals are not extinct, the current conservation status of the narwhal is “near threatened.” Narwhals live year-round in the Arctic waters around Greenland, Canada, and Russia. With its long spiraling tusk, the narwhal resembles a hybrid between a whale and a unicorn. About 75,000 narwhals still exist today; they’re qualified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as “nearly threatened.” Climate change is causing rapid changes to the Arctic ecosystem.
Narwhals are reported to be the arctic species most vulnerable to climate change. They give birth during the months of summer and early fall. Narwhals are at home in the freezing pack ice of the Arctic, living above the Arctic Circle right up to the polar ice cap. In the summer they migrate to coastal waters and fjords of Greenland and Canada moving offshore again in winter to avoid being trapped by ice.
Narwhal populations are estimated at 80,000, with more than three-quarters spending their summers in the Canadian Arctic. There are two main populations of narwhal found in Canada: the Baffin Bay and Hudson Bay populations. Unlike their close relatives, beluga whales, narwhals do not thrive in captivity. In the ’60s and ’70s, several attempts at capturing and keeping narwhals resulted in all of the animals dying within several months.
A major concern for narwhals today is the threat of human hunting, which has become increasingly feasible with the advancement of hunting techniques and equipment. The narwhal species faces one of the largest and most destructive threats in its entire history: the prospect of extinction. Killer whales and polar bears have been known to attack and eat narwhals. As a result of their rarity, they are increasingly vulnerable to trophy hunters.
It would be disastrous if the Arctic’s ecology were to be without narwhals, as there existence is vital to the survival of many other species. To save the narwhal from extinction, it is necessary to understand these magnificent deep-sea creatures. All narwhals have two canine teeth that can grow into their tusk, but generally, it’s the upper left tooth that grows. The tusk grows in most males and only about 15% of females. It is filled with sensitive pulp for nearly the entire length. Some narwhals have up to two tusks, while others have none. The spiraled tusk juts from the head and can grow as long at 10 feet.
What is a narwhal’s horn for?
Narwhals have a horn or tusk that protrudes from their front. This article looks at why narwhals have a horn and what they use it for. Research suggests the tusk is used as a sensory organ, helping the narwhal pick up changes in its environment. Males may use the horns to look for food or find mates.
The name “narwhal” is derived from the Norse “nar,” meaning corpse, and “whale.” This name refers to the narwhal’s speckled gray body, which looks like a drowned soldier. The horn is actually a canine front tooth that can reach nine feet.
Males have the “horn,” but only 15% of females have one. The tusk is a left-handed spiral helix that grows from the left side of the upper jaw and through the whale’s lip. The outer layer of the tusk is porous. Its inner layer has microscopic tubes found in the middle section. The pulp has nerve endings connected to the brain.
While not endangered, the narwhal is “near threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which gauges a species’ risk of extinction. Narwhals have been a protected species since 1972. Importation is prohibited, but some old tusks imported earlier can still be sold legally.
Killer whales and polar bears attack and eat narwhals. At least one Greenland shark was captured with narwhal remains, but it’s unclear if it was hunting or scavenging. Scientists once thought the tusk was for fighting or visual display to attract females. But research suggests it’s a sensory organ detecting temperature, water pressure, particle gradients and motion.
Are narwhals friendly to humans?
Narwhals live in the Arctic waters of Canada, Greenland, Norway and Russia. They are a type of toothed whale related to beluga whales and bottlenose dolphins. Narwhals feed on fish, prawns and jellyfish. Their long ivory tusk is actually a giant canine tooth that may help locate food. This tusk gives the narwhal its distinct look. Only male narwhals have the tusk which can grow to 9 feet long.
Narwhals are shy and skittish around humans who have hunted them for centuries. Still, recent research shows they can tolerate human contact. Under certain conditions where they’ve become accustomed to humans, narwhals may be quite comfortable around us. However, anytime humans enter their habitat we must do so responsibly and respectfully.
When confronted with human threats, narwhals exhibit a mixture of freezing and fleeing. Tracking studies suggest they are quite vulnerable to disturbance. As climate change gives ships more access to narwhal habitats, data shows a 300% increase in these areas from 2015-2016. Although this aids research, human activity disrupts their habitat.
Conservation efforts aim to protect narwhals and their diminishing ice habitats. Their tusks are also targeted in illegal wildlife trade. Monitoring climate change effects on their breeding and hunting grounds remains crucial. Main predators are killer whales, polar bears and walruses that target small, young and weak narwhals.
Are narwhals eaten?
Narwhals are highly prized resources for many Arctic communities. They are harvested for food and to make tools and handicrafts. The Inuit in Canada and Greenland eat narwhal meat. So do the Chukchi and Yupik in Alaska and the Nenets in Russia.
Narwhals are carnivores. They eat fish and ocean animals like cod, halibut, squid and shrimp. Most eat 16-31 kg daily. The amount varies by season and location.
Narwhals dive deeply, up to 1,500 meters, holding their breath for 25 minutes. In summer, hundreds or thousands swim together, leaping and diving in unison.
The narwhal tusk is an elongated tooth. Narwhals have no teeth to chew. How do they eat? Narwhals hunt live prey with a specialized diet. They can’t survive in captivity. They quietly suck prey into their mouths.
Baby narwhals, called calves, nurse from their mothers for over a year. Old narwhals are almost white. Pods of narwhals are very hard to study because they are shy.
An adult narwhal eats about 30 kg of food daily, hunting in packs. They likely sneak up before quickly sucking prey into their mouths. But many aspects of their feeding remain a mystery.
Narwhal meat is highly valued, eaten fresh or preserved. Blubber, skin and tusks are also used for food and trade. Narwhals likely can’t survive in captivity because of their specialized diets.
A narwhal eats between 20 and 25 pounds of food daily because of its large size. Polar bears detect narwhal carcasses from nearly 20 miles away.
Eating too much narwhal meat can lead to mercury poisoning. But the Inuit have adapted to higher mercury levels from centuries of eating narwhals.
The narwhal tusk is an elongated tooth, growing up to 8 feet long. Only male narwhals have this unique feature.
Narwhals are carnivores. They eat fish, squid and shrimp. Their diet depends on location and season. In spring they eat cod. In winter they switch to squid, shrimp and halibut.
Narwhals dive up to 1,800 meters in search of prey. They are deep divers and remarkable hunters.