The narwhal is a large, Arctic-dwelling whale with a long, spiral-shaped tusk that protrudes from its upper jaw. This tusk, which is actually an elongated canine tooth, can grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) long in males and is used for hunting, defense and display. The narwhal's body is long and cylindrical, with a dark bluish-gray color that fades to white on its belly. It has a large, rounded head with a bulbous forehead and a small, upturned mouth. The narwhal's flippers are short and paddle-shaped while its flukes are broad and deeply notched.
Body size
Male narwhals are larger than females and can reach lengths of up to 18 feet (5.5 meters) and weigh up to 3,500 pounds (1,600 kilograms). Females can grow to be up to 15 feet (4.5 meters) in length and weigh up to 2,200 pounds (1,000 kilograms).
Other features
Narwhals also have a pair of small, vestigial teeth in their lower jaw and some males may have a second, smaller tusk. Their skin is thick and blubber-rich, which helps them to survive in the cold Arctic waters. Narwhals also have a distinctive black and white marbled pattern on their backs and flanks.
Habitat
Narwhals are found in the Arctic Ocean and the surrounding seas, including the Barents Sea, Kara Sea, Laptev Sea, Beaufort Sea, and Chukchi Sea. They prefer deep, ice-covered waters and dive to depths of 2,000 feet (610 meters) or more in search of prey.
Diet
The diet of the narwhal consists primarily of fish, squid, and shrimp but they may occasionally consume seals and other marine mammals.
Social structure
Narwhals are highly social animals and live in pods of up to 100 individuals. Groups of narwhals are often seen swimming in synchronized formations, breaching the water's surface, and vocalizing.
Conservation status
The narwhal is classified as a "near threatened" species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Its primary threats include habitat loss due to climate change, pollution, and hunting.