What animals are related to the narwhal?

Narwhals (Monodon Monoceros) are closely related to other toothed whales, particularly within the family Monodontidae. The closest kin of the narwhal is the beluga or white whale (Delphinapterus leucas). Both narwhal and beluga whales are classified under the toothed whale suborder, named Odontoceti, and are further part of the same genus Monodon. This grouping emphasizes their shared evolutionary lineages and similar characteristics, such as their lack of a dorsal fin and the possession of a specialized organ called the melon for echolocation.