| NARWHALS |
The "unicorn of the ocean," the narwhal (Monodon monoceros) is one of the rarest whales in the world. Narwhals are very elusive and mysterious in nature, and is very distinct in appearance due to the large horn-like tusk on its face. The tusk is actually a tooth that grows from the upper jaw of male narwhals.
Fast Facts
Diet
Narwhals consume squid, fish and shrimp.Population
Narwhal population estimates indicate around 45,000-50,000 individuals.Did You Know?
Narwhal is a Danish word meaning 'corpse whale' since it is often known to swim belly up and lay motionless for quite a while.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. See a narwhal range map >>Behavior
Narwhals generally move slowly, 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.
Did You Know?
Narwhals have been observed using their tusks for fighting other aggressive behaviors, and for breaking sea ice in their Arctic habitat.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.
Climate Change and Other 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. Their small population size, limited range, and reliance on Arctic fish that are also being affected by climate-induced available food changes, make them extremely vulnerable. One recent study concluded that the narwhal might be even more sensitive to the impacts of climate change than the polar bear.
Species Spotlight
Read a Defenders Magazine article on the narwhal >>Legal Status/Protection
- IUCN Red List: Near threatened.
- CITES: Narwhals are listed in Appendix II.
- 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.
- Learn more about legal status and protection of narwhals >>
How You Can Help
- Help narwhals and other wildlife by adopting a whale at our Wildlife Adoption Center.
- Take Action for Wildlife at our Wildlife Action Center.
No comments:
Post a Comment