PUBLISHED November 11, 2010

close Four male narwhals pass along in the open water of Lancaster Sound in Nunavut, Canada. Photograph by Flip Nicklin, Minden Pictures/Nat Geo Image Collection close Inuit people hunt the narwhal for their long tusks and their skin, an important source of vitamin C in the traditional Arctic diet. Photograph by Paul Nicklen, Nat Geo Image Collection close Tap images for captions

Common Name: Narwhal Scientific Name: Monodon monoceros Type: Mammals Diet: Carnivore Size: 13 to 20 feet Weight: 1.5 tons Size relative to a bus IUCN Red List Status: close The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is widely recognized as the most comprehensive, objective global approach for evaluating the conservation status of plant and animal species. lc Least Concern At relatively low risk of extinction nt Near Threatened Likely to become vulnerable in the near future vu Vulnerable At high risk of extinction in the wild en Endangered At very high risk of extinction in the wild cr Critically Endangered At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild ew Extinct in the Wild Survives only in captivity ex Extinct No surviving individuals in the wild or in captivity Data Deficient Not enough information available to make an assessment Not Evaluated No assessment has been made ? Near Threatened lc nt vu en cr ew ex least concern extinct Current Population Trend: Unknown

What is the narwhal?

The narwhal is the unicorn of the sea, a pale-colored porpoise found in Arctic coastal waters and rivers.

Narwhal tusks

These legendary animals have two teeth. In males, the more prominent tooth grows into a swordlike, spiral tusk up to 10 feet long. The ivory tusk tooth grows right through the narwhal's upper lip. Scientists are not certain of the tusk's purpose, but some believe it is prominent in mating rituals, perhaps used to impress females or to battle rival suitors. Females sometimes grow a small tusk of their own, but it does not become as prominent as the male's.

Group travel

Narwhals are related to bottlenose dolphins, belugas, harbor porpoises, and orcas. Like some other porpoises, they travel in groups and feed on fish, shrimp, squid, and other aquatic fare. They are often sighted swimming in groups of 15 to 20, but gatherings of hundreds—or even several thousands—of narwhals have been reported. Sometimes these groups become trapped by shifting pack ice and fall victim to Inuit hunters, polar bears, or walruses.

Inuit people hunt the narwhal for their long tusks and their skin, an important source of vitamin C in the traditional Arctic diet.