The narwhal (Monodon monoceros), one of the most emblematic species of the Arctic, has been a source of myths and legends for centuries, inspiring tales of marine unicorns thanks to its long and enigmatic spiral tusk. Despite its fame, the behavior of these cetaceans remains largely unknown, particularly regarding the use of their distinctive tusk. However, a recent study has provided new and revealing images showing how these animals use their tusks in the wild.
The narwhal’s tusk is nothing more than an extremely developed tooth, which in most cases belongs to males and can reach up to three meters in length. Traditionally, it has been speculated that its primary function is related to sexual selection, serving as a tool for courtship or as a means of competition between individuals. However, the lack of direct observations in their natural habitat has prevented a deeper understanding of their behavior.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University, in collaboration with Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Inuit communities in Nunavut, managed to capture for the first time narwhals using their tusks in an unexpected way: to hunt and manipulate their prey. Using drones, scientists documented how these animals employ their tusks to strike and stun fish, particularly the Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus), before devouring them.
The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, also revealed a fascinating discovery: the possibility that narwhals engage in playful activities. Some individuals were observed using their tusks in interactions not necessarily linked to survival or reproduction, as if they were exploring their surroundings or communicating with other members of their group.
The researchers identified 17 distinct behaviors, some of which could be related to social learning. It is possible that narwhals transmit knowledge through observation and imitation, indicating a greater cognitive complexity than previously thought. Furthermore, the study notes the existence of interactions between narwhals, fish, and birds, including attempts at “kleptoparasitism,” that is, the stealing of prey between species, in this case between narwhals and glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus).
The observations also highlight the growing need to understand how narwhals are responding to environmental changes. With Arctic ice melting and shifts in prey distribution, these cetaceans may be modifying their behavior to adapt to new conditions. Drones have proven to be an invaluable tool for this type of study, as they allow researchers to obtain detailed images without interfering with the lives of these elusive animals.
Dr. Greg O’Corry-Crowe, lead author of the study and research professor at Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, emphasized the importance of these findings: “We knew that narwhals practiced ‘tusking,’ a behavior in which they raise their tusks and cross them with other individuals in what appears to be a ritual for assessing opponents or displaying for potential mates. But now we have discovered that their tusks have other surprising functions, such as exploration, hunting, and even play.”
Meanwhile, researcher Cortney Watt from Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans highlighted the significance of these discoveries: “After more than a decade studying narwhals, I have always been intrigued by the purpose of their tusks. Seeing them use them for hunting and playing is truly astonishing.”
Climate change is rapidly transforming the Arctic, which could significantly affect narwhals. The reduction of sea ice could alter their migration routes and food availability, forcing them to develop new survival strategies. In this context, studies like that of Florida Atlantic University and Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans are essential for understanding the adaptability of these animals and how Arctic species are responding to environmental changes.
SOURCES
Greg O’Corry-Crowe, Maha Ghazal, et al., Use of tusks by narwhals, Monodon monoceros, in foraging, exploratory, and play behavior. Front. Mar. Sci. , 28 February 2025- Sec. Marine Megafauna, Volume 12 – 2025. doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2025.1518605
- Share on:
Discover more from LBV Magazine English Edition
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
A Magnetar of Unknown Origin, Capable of Destroying Atoms a Thousand Kilometers Away, Is Crossing the Milky Way
A rogue magnetar, named SGR 0501+4516, is crossing our galaxy without a clear trace of its birth, according to a study published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics. This object,…
The Carthaginians Were Not Mostly Descended from Levantine Phoenicians, Reveals a Surprising Genetic Study
For centuries, the expansion of the Phoenician-Punic civilization across the Mediterranean was attributed to massive migrations. However, a recently published genetic study reveals that their success was largely due to…
A “Bestiarius” in York: The First Archaeological Evidence of Combat Between a Gladiator and a Lion in Roman Times
Bite marks found on a skeleton discovered in a Roman cemetery in York have revealed the first archaeological evidence of combat between a human and a lion in ancient Rome.…
The Abyss of Barnard 68, a Great Dark Spot in the Firmament
On the vast canvas of the cosmos, where starlight typically reigns supreme, there are regions in which darkness not only persists, but dominates. One of them is Barnard 68, a…
Evidence of Ancient Ritual to “Kill” the Dead and Destroy Their Tombs in a Final Feast 4,000 Years Ago Found in Crete
On the island of Crete, famous for its Minoan palaces and legends like the labyrinth of the Minotaur, an international team of archaeologists has discovered something even more intriguing: how…
Dry storms triggered by changes in solar radiation caused massive wildfires 8,200 years ago that spurred the birth of agriculture
A study led by Professor Amos Frumkin of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem sheds new light on one of humanity’s most significant turning points: the Neolithic Revolution. Published in the…
NASA’s Perseverance Rover Finds a Strange “Skull” Rock on Mars
NASA’s Perseverance rover continues its scientific journey across the surface of Mars, venturing into the lower region of ‘Witch Hazel Hill,’ located on the edge of Jezero Crater. During its…
How the Mongols Conquered All of the Holy Land, Then Withdrew Without Fighting
In a recent article dedicated to the Ninth Crusade, we explained that the English prince and future king Edward I landed in Acre in the spring of 1271, ready to…
Over 100 Horse Skeletons from a Roman Cavalry Unit from the 2nd Century A.D. Found in Stuttgart
Archaeologists from the State Office for Monument Preservation of the Stuttgart Regional Council have found the remains of more than a hundred Roman horses in the Bad Cannstatt district of…
Scientists manage to stimulate eye cells to visualize “olo”, a color never seen before by humans
In a breakthrough that seems straight out of science fiction, a group of scientists has succeeded in getting the human eye to visualize a completely new color, beyond what it…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
