{"id":12898,"date":"2020-06-17T03:24:15","date_gmt":"2020-06-16T19:24:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.travelwithachallenge.com\/?page_id=12898"},"modified":"2025-04-13T17:33:53","modified_gmt":"2025-04-14T00:33:53","slug":"unicorn-of-the-sea-narwhal-facts-and-mysteries","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.travelwithachallenge.com\/?page_id=12898","title":{"rendered":"Unicorn of the Sea – Narwhal Facts and Mysteries"},"content":{"rendered":"

Unicorn of the Sea – Narwhal Facts and Mysteries<\/span><\/h1>\n
\"Narwhal-Unicorn-of-the-Sea\"
It is easy to see why the narwhal is called the \u201cunicorn of the sea\u201d.
<\/em>\u00a9Michelle Valberg, Arctic Kingdom
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Take an Arctic safari to meet Narwhal whales<\/span><\/h2>\n

By Mat Whitelaw, Arctic Kingdom Adventures & Tours<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n

A big part of nature tourism is getting excited about what amazing creatures are out there in the wild for nature-loving guests to observe. Some creatures are rare and illusive, often requiring a considerable effort to travel to the ends of the earth to immerse in their limited habitat. Some are almost too fantastical to be true \u2026 like the \u201cunicorn of the sea\u201d narwhal, 75% of which spend each summer migrating around Canada\u2019s High Arctic! <\/p>\n

The narwhal is most closely related to white beluga whales and these two species of marine mammal comprise the only existing members of the family Monodontidae<\/em>. While beluga whales have been successfully kept in captivity for more accessible viewing, narwhal can only be observed in the wild. At up to 17 feet in length, narwhals are big but not huge, with adult females weighing an average of 1,000 kg\/2,200 lbs and adult males weighing about 1,600 kg\/3,500 lbs. Their life span is roughly 50 years, spent in the waters of northern Canada, Greenland, Norway and Russia.<\/p>\n

\"Narwhal-whale-tails\"
The shape of the male narwhal\u2019s tail fluke offsets the drag caused by its tusk. <\/em>\u00a9Thomas Lennartz, Arctic Kingdom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Narwhals have a mottled pattern, with blackish-brown markings over a white background. They are darkest when they are younger and become whiter as they get older. The tail flukes, the two wings that form the tail, of males have front edges that are more concave and lack a sweep-back shape found in females. This is thought to be an adaptation to overcome the drag caused by the tusk.<\/p>\n

Like other Arctic whales including the bowhead and beluga, the narwhal does not have a dorsal fin on its back. The absence of a dorsal fin allows these whales to prevent heat loss by reducing their body surface area, and it allows them to swim smoothly under ice sheets. This whale species is one of the deepest diving of marine mammals. They can dive as deep as 1,500 m\/4,500 ft lasting around 25 minutes under water. <\/p>\n

\"Narwhal-whale-pod-in-Canadian-Arctic-waters\"
Aerial photoview of narwhals reveals the characteristic mottle skin pattern. <\/em>\u00a9Francois Gervaise, Arctic Kingdom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

People have wondered for ages just why the narwhal even has a tusk. Elephants have tusks to push brush and branches out of their way, rhinos have a horn to defend themselves, and even the Arctic walrus has teeth\/tusks to crack open breathing holes in the ice during the frozen winter. But why does a narwhal have a tusk? The short answer is we are not sure.<\/p>\n

The Narwhal Tusk: Facts and Mysteries<\/span><\/h2>\n

The tusk is a canine tooth that protrudes through the lip and continuously grows throughout the narwhal\u2019s life, reaching a length of up to 10 ft or 3.5 m. This is the only straight tusk in the world, with all other tusks having some curve.<\/p>\n

All narwhals have two canine teeth that can grow into a tusk, but generally it is the upper left tooth that actually grows. This tusk will always form a left turning helix spiral. Even when a second tusk grows, as occasionally happens, both tusks spiral to the left.<\/p>\n

\"Narwhal-Females\"
Female narwhal are generally, but not always, without tusks. Another mystery! <\/em>\u00a9Todd Mintz, Arctic Kingdom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The tusk grows in most males and only about 15% of females. About one in 500 males grow two tusks, and only one female has ever been recorded with two tusks.<\/p>\n

What are narwhal tusks for? There are lots of ideas but scientists remain unsure on this question. They aren\u2019t used for dueling and narwhals don\u2019t spear food with them. If it was an evolutionary trait for hunting and not dueling, then more females would have them too. The mystery thickens!<\/p>\n

\"Narwhal-tusk-mysteries\"
The narwhal tusk has sensory nerve endings along the surface of the tusk. <\/em>\u00a9Thomas Lennartz, Arctic Kingdom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We know it is a tooth, but its composition is inverted from other mammal teeth. There is normally a hard coating of enamel, dentin and cementum that shields the sensitive nerves. But in fact, the narwhal tusk has nerves on the outside with the dense material on the inside of the hollow tusk. It appears to be used as a sensory organ with the tusk having millions of tiny holes and nerve endings on the surface of the tusk. <\/p>\n

Seawater enters tiny holes in the tusk that channels the water into a \u201csensory center\u201d at the base of the tusk. These nerve endings send valuable information to the brain giving it information on the water around them. It is believed that they can sense chemical changes in the water like the salt levels, temperatures, and water pressure while they\u2019re migrating. And it is also believed that they can sense \u201cattraction\u201d chemicals released by potential mates. <\/p>\n

Narwhal have been observed to use the rare practice of tapping a fish to stun it when they eat. But primarily it is believed to be a guiding feature. That means that when they gently do rub tusks together, it\u2019s possible that they are transferring important information about the water\u2019s environment.<\/p>\n

\"Narwhal-arctic-safari\"
On the floe edge with the narwhal in their summer migration. <\/em>\u00a9Thomas Lennartz, Arctic Kingdom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One of the more simplistic reasons for the tusk\u2019s existence could be that it is something of a flashy gender-based characteristic, like a lion\u2019s mane. The idea being that it offers little function and sets certain narwhals apart from others for mating rights.<\/p>\n

This mysterious tooth is one of nature\u2019s more intriguing features. Like the unicorn of folklore, the mystery of the narwhal\u2019s tusk draws people to observe this Arctic whale. Naturally, it has become the stuff of legends over the centuries!<\/p>\n

There is nothing more incredible than seeing these beautiful whales burst above the water\u2019s surface. Capturing a photo of a tusked narwhal fulfills any Arctic bucket list. With an estimated population of 80,000 worldwide, and 75% of these marine mammals migrating into the Canadian Arctic, there is no better place to see them!<\/p>\n

\"Artic-Kingdom-Safari-Tents\"
Arctic Kingdom tent camp in Canada\u2019s High Arctic. <\/em>\u00a9Thomas Lennartz, Arctic Kingdom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Follow Up Facts<\/strong><\/span> Arctic Kingdom<\/strong>, www.arctickingdom.com<\/a>, is a global leader in land-based group travel and custom experiences in the Canadian Arctic. After 20 years of operating in this remarkable region, the company has unparalleled expertise in Arctic wildlife and habitats, creating journeys that capture the imagination of every guest. Based on the skills and knowledge of expert local Inuit guides, Arctic Kingdom has unmatched access, built through years of deep-rooted relationships with Inuit communities. Most Arctic safari guests are between 50 and 80 years of age.
\nOn Arctic Kingdom\u2019s Narwhal & Polar Bear, a Floe Edge Safari<\/a>, the tour\u2019s viewing location is along the primary Canadian High Arctic whale migration route, with the majority of the world\u2019s narwhal and beluga population traveling past to summer feeding grounds each year. Standing on the ice edge as narwhal and beluga whales swim past, here is a breathtaking, close-up opportunity for unparalleled photography of these animals, and a chance to see polar bears too while enjoying longer days under the Midnight Sun.
\nThis unique small-group adventure includes round trip flights between Ottawa and Pond Inlet in the remote Canadian territory of Nunavut, a six-night tented safari camp on ice, use of kayaks, dry-suit and accessories for snorkelling, meals and ground transportation. There are four departures in May and June 2021.<\/span>
\nCheck out the Travel Nunavut website<\/strong>, www.travelnunavut.ca<\/a>, for more information about tourism in this northeastern territory of Canada.<\/span>
\nStill want more narwhal facts? World Wildlife Fund<\/strong> has assembled the ultimate narwhal fact sheet<\/a>, including threats to their habitat, what they eat, and conservation efforts. <\/span>
\n
\nIn our publication\u2019s Travel Article Library, we also recommend an informative article about the walrus<\/a>, an equally fascinating marine mammal found only in the circumpolar regions of the High Arctic. <\/span><\/p>\n

Mathew Whitelaw<\/strong> is a marketing and travel writer who enjoys educating future Arctic Ambassadors on the Arctic realm and inspiring people to experience the adventure of a lifetime in the North. He writes articles about northern animals and environments, Inuit culture, Northern history, wildlife migrations and behaviours, and adventure travel. More of his articles may be found on the Arctic Kingdom website<\/a>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Unicorn of the Sea – Narwhal Facts and Mysteries Take an Arctic safari to meet Narwhal whales By Mat Whitelaw, Arctic Kingdom Adventures & Tours A big part of nature tourism is getting excited about what amazing creatures are out there in the wild for nature-loving guests to observe. Some creatures are rare and illusive, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelwithachallenge.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12898"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelwithachallenge.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelwithachallenge.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelwithachallenge.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelwithachallenge.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12898"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelwithachallenge.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12898\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15612,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelwithachallenge.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12898\/revisions\/15612"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelwithachallenge.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12898"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}