Narwhals Narwhals are a rare type of whale species which have been around for thousands of years and part of the Beluga whale family.
They are also known as the unicorn of the sea as they have a large pointy tusk which is actually a tooth. The tusk can grow up to 10 feet long and the Narwhals have been hunted for their tusks. They are now protected and can no longer be hunted.
Narwhals live in the arctic of Canada, Greenland and Russia.
Narwhals have been listed as nearly threatened and are becoming extinct.
The three main reasons for this is because of climate change to their environment where the ice cover has dramatically decreased. The narwhals rely on the sea ice for feeding and refuge.
Another reason related to climate change is a reduction in the population of the Narwhals primary prey which limits their feeding and population.
Also the increase in shipping oil and gas has increased the noise pollution which can make it hard for Narwhals to find food, avoid predators and take care of their babies.
Narwhals create a sort of vacuum and suck up their food which includes squid,Shrimp,Arctic cod,rockfish,flounder and crab.The male narwhal tusk is thought to play no role in feeding.
The narwhals scientific name is Monodon monoceros which in Greek means one-tooth-one-horn.
Narwhals can weigh up to 1,600 kg and can grow up to 4 to 6 m long as an adult. A baby narwhal is about 1.5m and 1,000kg.
Narwhals travel in groups of 15-20 and in the summer follow their food to shallower waters and suck them up. Male and female adult narwhals look gray-green black and other creamy colours. Baby narwhals are born gray then darken which starts with the belly and then whiten with age.
Narwhals are very interesting animals and are smart. I have had a very fun time researching about these fascinating animals. Thank you for listening, I hope you enjoyed my speech about Narwhals.
