40 Fascinating Facts about Narwhals

Are you ready to dive deep into the chilly waters and uncover some cool secrets about a really special sea creature? Today, we’re exploring the world of narwhals, often called the “unicorns of the sea.” These amazing animals have long tusks that look like magic horns and live in places where it’s super cold! So, zip up your warmest jacket, and let’s swim into the world of narwhals with these fascinating facts about narwhals!

Let’s talk about that famous tusk a narwhal has. The tusk is a really long tooth that can grow as long as a car! Most of the time, the boy narwhals have these long tusks. Scientists have lots of ideas about what the tusks are used for. Some think narwhals use them to show off or to help them find food under the sea ice.

Narwhals are not just excellent for their tusks; they’re also amazing swimmers. They live in the Arctic waters, around places like Greenland and Canada. These waters are super cold, but narwhals are used to it. They can even hold their breath and dive deep to catch their favorite snacks, like fish and squid.

But wait, there’s more! Narwhals travel in groups called pods, and they love to stick together. Sometimes, you can see them swimming in big groups in the icy ocean. They talk to each other with clicks, whistles, and other sounds, like how you talk to your friends.

Are you ready to learn more about these fascinating facts about Narwhals, the “unicorns of the sea”? From their incredible tusks to the chilly places they call home, narwhals are full of surprises. Let’s keep exploring and find out all the amazing things about narwhals!

Be sure to discover even more interesting facts with our Facts about Cats and our facts about frogs.

Facts about Narwhals

1. Narwhals are not currently endangered, but their populations are threatened by climate change, fishing, and habitat loss.
2. The Narwhal’s scientific name is Monodon Monoceros, which means “one tooth, one horn.”
3. Narwhals produce clicks, whistles, and trills to communicate with each other.
4. They can dive as deep as 1,500 m (4,500 ft), lasting around 25 minutes underwater.
5. Narwhals are warm-blooded, air-breathing mammals and members of the order Artiodactyla and family Monodontidae.
6. In 1577, the English explorer Martin Frobisher laid eyes on a dead narwhal, describing it as a ‘sea unicorn’.
7. The Narwhal averages between 13 and 18 feet (4 and 5.5 meters) in length excluding the male’s spiral tusk, and they weigh between 1,760 and 3,530 pounds (800 and 1,600 kg).
8. Narwhal tusks primarily relate to mating, it is how they attract a mate, they are also useful when in conflict with other males.
9. Narwhals have a very strong sense of smell.
10. There is just as much vitamin C in one ounce of narwhal skin as there is in an ounce of oranges.
11. Both males & females are born with two small teeth embedded in their skulls. The left tooth will grow into their tusk.
12. The absence of a dorsal fin allows Narwhals and other Arctic whales to prevent heat loss, reduces surface area, and allows them to swim under ice.
13. Narwhal tusks are highly prized by collectors and can fetch up to £10,000 each.
14. Narwhals are known for being playful animals.
15. Narwhal tusks are actually giant teeth made out of ivory that can grow to be 10 feet long.
16. Narwhals are carnivores that feed on halibut, cod, squid, shrimp, and other deep-sea fish that are often very difficult to reach.
17. Newborn narwhals are speckled blue-grey, teens are blue-black, adults are speckled grey, and old narwhals are almost all white.
18. Narwhals are sometimes referred to as the ‘unicorn of the sea’.
19. The Narwhal population is estimated to be around 80,000.
20. Narwhals are the fastest-toothed whales in the world.
21. It is very rare for male Narwhals to have two tusks, and females almost never have a tusk.
22. Narwhals suck prey into their mouths and swallow them whole.
23. Humans rarely see them because they live where it is cold, and they can stay hidden under the ice.
24. Narwhals have a thick layer of blubber to keep them warm.
25. Narwhals travel in pods between 2 and 3 to several hundred.
26. Narwhals are curious and smart animals.
27. The average lifespan of the Narwhal is 30-40 years, but many have reportedly lived beyond that, up to 50 years old.
28. Narwhals have a very strong sense of smell.
29. Narwhal Day is celebrated on April 10th.
30. Narwhals are deep divers, diving just over a mile underwater.
31. The word narwhal comes from the Norse word “nar,” which means “corpse-like,” because the pale color of the whales allegedly resembles the corpses of drowned sailors.
32. The Narwhal population is estimated to be around 80,000.
33. Due to the extreme cold of the arctic waters, they have significantly more blubber than an average whale.
34. Narwhals are a symbol of hope and resilience for many people.
35. Narwhals are warm-blooded, air-breathing mammals and members of the order Artiodactyla and family Monodontidae.
36. Narwhals are the fastest-toothed whales in the world.
37. In 1577 the English explorer Martin Frobisher laid eyes on a dead narwhal, describing it as a ‘sea-unicorn’.
38. Narwhals have a thick layer of blubber to keep them warm.
39. There are two main populations of Narwhals found in Canada: the Baffin Bay and Hudson Bay populations.

Do you have even more interesting facts about Narwhals? Share them with us in the comments!