Narwhal (Photo: NIST)

Narwhal

Monodon monoceros

The unicorn of the ocean, the narwhal is one of the rarest whales in the world. It is very elusive and mysterious in nature, and is very distinct in appearance due to the large unicorn-like tusk on its face. The tusk is actually a tooth that grows from the upper jaw of male narwhals. However, some rare cases of females sporting tusks have been recorded. They are mostly pale in color with darker, more mottled specks on the upper side of their bodies and lighter shading on their bellies.

'Narwhal' is a Danish word meaning 'corpse whale' since it is often known to swim belly up and lay motionless for quite a while.

Length 13-16 ft
Weight Up to 1.8 tons; females are slightly smaller than males
Lifespan 50 years

Diet

Squid, fish and shrimp

Population

Population estimates indicate around 45,000-50,000 narwhals.

Range

Narwhals are mostly found in the Atlantic and Russian waters of the Arctic. They have been known to travel around Greenland to eastern Russia.

Behavior

Narwhals generally move in a slow manner, but are known to be remarkably quick when chased by predators. They prefer to stay near the surface of the ocean, but can dive up to 5,000 feet. Narwhals are migratory and move closer to the shore in the summer, while moving out to sea and living under packed ice in the winter months.

Most narwhals travel in pods of 10-100 individuals and sometimes in much larger groups. They communicate with various sounds like squeals, trills and clicks. The males often cross tusks in a behavior known as ‘tusking’. This may be a form of dueling, friendly contact or cleaning the tooth.

Reproduction
Mating Season March to May
Gestation up to 16 months
Litter Size 1 calf
Females give birth every 3 years or so and can nurse their calves for over a year. Calves tend to be brown with no spots.

Threats

Narwhals are mostly hunted by polar bears and orcas. They are also hunted by native Inuit people who are allowed to hunt this whale legally. In addition, the narwhal’s habitat is threatened by the effects of global warming and pollution.

Defenders of Wildlife is working with leaders on Capitol Hill and elsewhere to stop global warming and save narwhals and their habitat.

Legal Status/Protection

The Canadian government instituted Narwhal Protection Regulations under the Fisheries Act in 1971. This made hunting narwhals illegal for anyone other than the Inuits. There is a catch limit of 5 narwhals a year per subsistence hunter and hunters are required to utilize every part of the narwhal.

CITES Appendix II*

*Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an international treaty with more than 144 member countries. Appendix I species cannot be traded commercially. Appendix II species can be traded commercially only if it does not harm their survival.