Class: MAMMALIA

Order: CETACEA

Family: MONODONTIDAE

Genus: MONODON

Species: MONOCEROS

This species of large aquatic mammal is the only living member of its genus; but shares its family with the Beluga. Narwhals and belugas are both found in waters surrounding areas of the Arctic circle – with the Narwhal’s range extending east of Greenland and about as far east as the Laptev sea. The range is one that borders Canada, Greenland, Svalbard, and several islands north of the Barents and Kara Seas. Belugas inhabit a more general range; but this range does not extend north to the extent does that of the narwhal; which inhabits a more northerly range than that of any other mammal on Earth. As of 2023 Narwhals are classified as a single species without sub-species – despite small morphological differences between some populations. The narwhal is believed to have diverged from the beluga some point during the Quaternary period.

Narwhals and belugas are very similar anatomically – though belugas have a more flattened skull compared to narwhals, and are more slender and are larger. Both lack a dorsal fin present on other whales. Narwhals are also notably ‘mottled’ in colouration – which gave the animal its name – which comes from the Dutch for ‘corpse-whale’, which likened it to the corpse of a decomposing sailor. More areas of mottled black or brown are present on the back of the narwhal than on the belly, which is largely, if not entirely white. Younger narwhals are more solid in colour – usually greyish. Studies done into cranial differences between narwhals found in East and West Greenland – but none between narwhals found in West Greenland and Canada. However, Indigenous peoples have perceived the narwhals of Greenland to have bulkier heads than Canadian narwhals – in addition to being less reclusive. Male narwhals are also highly sexually dimorphic – with many males having a particularly-developed canine tooth which is of spiraled shape. Narwhals have just two teeth in their mouth – and so they swallow their prey whole. The tusk of the male narwhal can be up to 3 metres – the rest of the animal being some 5 metres in length [males being slightly larger than females], and weighing some 1700 kilogrammes. The narwhal’s tusk contains some 10 million nerve endings – suggesting evidence to the idea that the tusk is used partly as a sensory device. It seems also to double as a device of courtship amongst males to attract a mate. Most females do not have a tusk – but a small number of female narwhals have a tusk – and an even smaller number of either sex have two.

Narwhals inhabit waters that do not exceed 5 degrees Celsius yearly – and often during the Winter months, the waters inhabited by narwhals freeze over, leaving only cracks for the narwhals to use for access to ear. These cracks are usually sufficient to allow for the narwhals to survive – but in some instances they can freeze over, leading to the deaths of large numbers of narwhals. Often, encasements go without detection – but particularly large-scale instances, as occurred in Eclipse Sound in 2008, can be a potent source of food for native Indigenous peoples. In Summer, they can be found in more shallow waters – such as those found in fjords, where they do not feed often. When they migrate to more packed wintering grounds, they seem to consume more food – which often comes in the form of Greenland halibut – Reinhardtius hippoglossoides. It is a species that is most often found on the sea-floor – and so narwhals must dive up to 1600 metres to reach it. It can take some 25 minutes to successfully capture the fish. During the winter they also eat cod [Arctogadus glacialis] and squid [Gonatus sp.]. In summer they also appear more social than other times of the year – forming large groups which number hundreds of animals. During the spring as they move to summer grounds, they feed mainly on cod. As do all other cetaceans, narwhals use echolocation to detect moving prey. Orcas are the prime predators of narwhals aside from humans – which may move into shallow water to access narwhals. Polar bears also attack narwhals on occasion – particularly those in shallow waters close to land. [though polar bears have been known to swim extensive distances] Narwhal pods are known to be sex-segregated – with the sexes only coming together at late Spring to mate. A single calf is born about a year later, which stays with its mother for about another year. It reaches sexual maturity at around the age of 8. Scientific studies regarding the narwhal’s lens indicate that narwhals can live for more than 100 years.

For the Indigenous peoples of the Arctic, narwhals have been a resource of high importance for centuries, and still are in the present day. The entirety of the narwhal is put to use – with the skin of the narwhal; called ‘maktaaq’, considered a delicacy; though it is also used to feed dogs. The fine qualities of the food can depend on preparation – particularly in the manner that it may be prepared. The skin can also be used to make a rope. The flippers, organs, and intestines are all eaten as well – and the blubber can be used as fuel. The narwhal’s bones have been used as construction material in the past, though they are also sometimes eaten. The time of harvest is dependent on area – in East Greenland narwhals are often hunted during the summer – but in West Greenland they are often hunted in the Autumn. Harpoons and rifles are some key devices used to dispatch narwhals – though nets are sometimes also used. The ‘western world’, whereas, is less familiar with narwhals – as has been the case for centuries. During medieval years, the idea of the unicorn was one popular amongst not only high aristocracy but the general public also. This allowed for traders of the far north to sell ‘unicorns’ horn’ [really a narwhal’s tusk] to Europeans who were unfamiliar with narwhals. Many high rulers kept horns, occasionally using them for medicinal properties. One account notes that Elizabeth I of England paid £10,000 for a ‘unicorn’s horn’ – and the King of France may have paid twice the price for one – a price which would allow for the construction of a castle. Even in the 21st century, the ‘unicorn’ has not lost its allure – in 2019 a Polish immigrant, Darryn Frost, attacked terrorist Usman Khan, with a narwhal tusk – after which much media championed Darryn as a brave hero. But Darryn’s legacy may be somewhat usurped – as of 2023, the importation of various animal ivory was made illegal in the United Kingdom, with the inclusion of Narwhals. Narwhals are a popular motif in the 21st century amongst artistic projects – now featuring prominently on memorabilia such as lunch boxes, children's books, clothing, and toys. This is despite the fact that no narwhals exist in captivity – none have been imported since 1970 – the animals all dying within months. Even amongst scientists most familiar with narwhals they are rarely sighted - with many surveys being taken from helicopter. Some scientists have also turned to working with native tribes, which have extensive oral history surrounding the animal.

The global narwhal population has been divided by some scientists into twelve individual ‘stocks’ – those which exist off Svalbard, East Greenland, Northeast Greenland, the Inglefield Bredning Gulf, Melville Bay, Somerset Island, Jones Sound, Smith Sound, Admiralty Inlet, Eclipse Sound, Eastern Baffin Island, and Northern Hudson Bay. The Svalbard stock has not been studied in preferable detail – though the species is protected by the Russian government, which has control over the island of Svalbard. The East Greenland stock is one which has gained concern from scientists in recent years – namely that it is believed the population is in decline, a result of changes in climate, and north-heading species competing for food and spreading disease. The Northeast Greenland stock is one that is protected from hunting – but information is lacking on this particular stock. Both the Ingfield-Bredning and Melville Bay stocks appear stable – though they are small in number – with concern being raised that harvest at Melville exceeds what the population can sustain. Six of the seven Canadian stocks are of large and sustainable numbers - with the Somerset Island stock believed to be increasing. Little information exists regarding the Eastern Baffin stock, however. However – with the six other Canadian stocks it is believed that the level of harvest is sustainable to allow the populations to survive. The IUCN thus lists the species as ‘least concern’ – as in its current state it is in no major threat of extinction.