The Narwhal is a marine mammal. Similar to whales, they inhabit cold ocean waters. The key difference is that they… have a tusk. Narwhals produce a distinctive muted sound. They are commonly found in the northern waters of Canada, the eastern and western coasts of Greenland, offshore from the Svalbard archipelago, and in Siberia. They typically appear at depths of 300-400 meters.
Males and females are always closely bonded. Females reach sexual maturity at three years of age, while males must wait an additional three years. Narwhals have a gestation period of 14 months and usually give birth to a single calf, with twins being a rare occurrence. At birth, the calf is endowed with a thick layer of blubber to withstand the harsh northern cold. Gradually, its round head elongates like that of a melon, and the tusk begins to form distinctly. An adult narwhal measures between 3.5 to 5 meters in length and can weigh up to 1,500 kilograms.
The narwhal’s tusk is a long, spiral ivory structure that grows from the skull and protrudes through the face. Males have tusks that can reach lengths of 3 meters and weigh around 10 kilograms. The tusk continues to grow throughout their life. However, due to its slender structure, it is quite fragile and can easily break, especially during fights between males. Females typically have tusks that are around 20 centimeters long. To this day, scientists have yet to explain the purpose of this peculiar tusk. Some suggest it serves as a means to establish “social hierarchy.” Others believe it is used to dig in the seabed for food. But if that were the case, would females, which usually have no tusk, starve?
