The only species of the narwhal genus.
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✪ Monodontidae: Beluga whale, Narwhal / Narwhals: Beluga whale, Narwhal
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Appearance
The body length of an adult narwhal usually reaches 3.8-4.5 m (in the old days there were specimens 6 m long), newborns - 1-1.5 m. The weight of males reaches 2-3 tons, of which about a third of the weight is fat; females weigh about 900 kg. The head is round, with an overhanging frontal tubercle; no dorsal fin. The mouth is small, located below.
In size and shape of the body, pectoral fins and dark coloration of the suckers, narwhals are similar to beluga whales, however, adult individuals are distinguished by spotting - grayish-brown spots on a light background, which sometimes merge - and the presence of only 2 upper teeth. Of these, the left one develops in males into a tusk up to 2-3 m long and weighing up to 10 kg, twisted in a left-hand spiral, while the right one usually does not erupt. The right tusk in males and both tusks in females are hidden in the gums and develop rarely, in about one case out of 500. However, there are females with tusks, including two. Broken off tusks do not grow back, but the dental canal of such a tusk is closed with a bone filling. Narwhal tusks are characterized by high strength and flexibility; their ends can bend at least 31 cm in any direction without breaking.
Not only the structure of the tusk itself is interesting, but also its purpose; scientists thought about this for a long time, few believed that it could be an attack weapon. It was assumed that it was necessary during mating games to attract females. There is also a version that males need tusks during mating tournaments - it has been observed that narwhals sometimes rub their tusks. Also in 2005, a research team led by Martin Nweeia suggested that the narwhal tusk is a sensory organ. Under an electron microscope, it was discovered that the tusk was riddled with millions of tiny tubes containing nerve endings. Presumably, the tusk allows the narwhal to sense changes in pressure, temperature and the relative concentration of suspended particles in the water. Finally, only in May 2017, scientists from the WWF polar research department managed to capture on video a narwhal hunt, during which it used its tusk as a “club” to stun its prey. By crossing their tusks, narwhals apparently clear them of growths. Narwhals are protected from the cold by a 10-centimeter layer of fat.
Spreading
The narwhal lives in high latitudes - in the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic. Main locations: Canadian archipelago and the shores of Greenland, waters of Svalbard, Franz Josef Land and waters around the northern tip North Island New Earth. The most northern approaches in summer were made up to 85° N. sh.; the most southern (in winter) - to Great Britain and the Netherlands, the Murmansk coast, the White Sea, Bering Island.
Lifestyle and nutrition
Narwhals live in cold waters along the edge of the Arctic ice, making seasonal migrations depending on the movement of floating ice - in the winter to the south, and in the summer - to the north. Beyond the borders polar waters, below 70° N. sh., they come out rarely and only in winter. Unlike beluga whales, narwhals stay in deep waters in the summer. In winter they live in clearings among the ice; if the ice holes freeze, the males from below break the ice (up to 5 cm thick), striking with their backs and tusks.
Social structure and reproduction
Narwhals live alone or in small groups, usually of 6-10 heads, which consist of adult males or females with cubs; Previously they formed large aggregations of several hundred and thousands of heads. In a herd, like beluga whales, narwhals are very talkative. Most often they produce sharp sounds reminiscent of a whistle; They also make moans (or sighs), moos, clicks, squeaks, and gurgles.
Peak mating occurs in spring. Pregnancy lasts 14-15 months, the full reproductive cycle covers 2-3 years. 1, very rarely 2 cubs are born. Sexual maturity in males occurs at a body length of 4 m, in females - 3.4 m, which corresponds to 4-7 years. Life expectancy in nature is up to 55 years; in captivity - up to 4 months. There are no known cases of breeding in captivity.
Lifestyle and nutritionNarwhals live in cold waters along the edge of the Arctic ice, making seasonal migrations depending on the movement of floating ice - in the winter to the south, and in the summer - to the north. Beyond polar waters, below 70° N. sh., they come out rarely and only in winter. Unlike beluga whales, narwhals stay in deep waters while flying. In winter they live in clearings among the ice; if the ice holes freeze, the males from below break the ice (up to 5 cm thick), striking with their backs and tusks. Social structure and reproductionNarwhals live alone or in small groups, usually of 6-10 heads, which consist of adult males or females with cubs; Previously they formed large aggregations of several hundred and thousands of heads. In a herd, like beluga whales, narwhals are very talkative. Most often they produce sharp sounds reminiscent of a whistle; They also make moans (or sighs), moos, clicks, squeaks, and gurgles. Peak mating occurs in spring. Pregnancy lasts 14-15 months, the full reproductive cycle covers 2-3 years. 1, very rarely 2 cubs are born. Sexual maturity in males occurs at a body length of 4 m, in females - 3.4 m, which corresponds to 4-7 years. Life expectancy in nature is up to 55 years; in captivity - up to 4 months. There are no known cases of breeding in captivity. Economic importanceThe fat-rich meat is an important source of nutrients for the indigenous inhabitants of the Arctic, who have hunted narwhals for thousands of years. Fat is also used as oil for lamps, and intestines are used to make ropes; tusks, from which crafts are cut, are especially valued. The skin of narwhals contains a lot of vitamin C. Since the summer, the Canadian government has introduced restrictive measures for the fishery: it has banned the slaughter of females accompanied by cubs, it has required the complete disposal of hunted animals and introduced an annual quota for production in the main hunting areas. Population status and conservationProtected rare species; listed in the Red Book of Russia (rarity category: 3 - rare small species, representative of a monotypic genus), as well as in Appendix I of CITES. Unlike beluga whales, narwhals do not tolerate captivity well. Today, the world population of narwhals numbers 23 thousand animals, which gives reason to consider them an endangered species. Release 11.04 of the Linux Ubuntu operating system is called Natty Narwhal - “graceful narwhal”. Write a review about the article "Narwhal"NotesLinks
Excerpt characterizing NarwhalHe, puffing and muttering something to himself, entered the stairs. The coachman no longer asked him whether to wait. He knew that when the count was with the Rostovs, it was until twelve o’clock. The Rostovs' lackeys joyfully rushed to take off his cloak and accept his stick and hat. Pierre, as was his club habit, left his stick and hat in the hall.The first face he saw from the Rostovs was Natasha. Even before he saw her, he, taking off his cloak in the hall, heard her. She sang solfege in the hall. He realized that she had not sung since her illness, and therefore the sound of her voice surprised and delighted him. He quietly opened the door and saw Natasha in her purple dress, which she had worn at mass, walking around the room and singing. She walked backwards towards him when he opened the door, but when she turned sharply and saw his fat, surprised face, she blushed and quickly approached him. “I want to try singing again,” she said. “It’s still a job,” she added, as if apologizing. - And wonderful. – I’m so glad you came! I'm so happy today! - she said with the same animation that Pierre had not seen in her for a long time. – You know, Nicolas received the St. George Cross. I'm so proud of him. - Well, I sent an order. Well, I don’t want to disturb you,” he added and wanted to go into the living room. Natasha stopped him. - Count, is it bad that I sing? - she said, blushing, but without taking her eyes off, looking questioningly at Pierre. - No... Why? On the contrary... But why are you asking me? “I don’t know myself,” Natasha quickly answered, “but I wouldn’t want to do anything that you wouldn’t like.” I believe you in everything. You don’t know how important you are to me and how much you have done for me!..” She spoke quickly and not noticing how Pierre blushed at these words. “I saw in the same order, he, Bolkonsky (she said this word quickly, in a whisper), he is in Russia and is serving again. “What do you think,” she said quickly, apparently in a hurry to speak because she was afraid for her strength, “will he ever forgive me?” Will he have any ill feelings against me? How do you think? How do you think? “I think...” said Pierre. “He has nothing to forgive... If I were in his place...” Through the connection of memories, Pierre’s imagination instantly transported him to the time when he, comforting her, told her that if he were not he, but best person in peace and free, then he would be on his knees asking for her hand, and the same feeling of pity, tenderness, love would overcome him, and the same words would be on his lips. But she didn't give him time to say them. “Yes, you are,” she said, pronouncing this word “you” with delight, “another matter.” I don’t know a kinder, more generous, better person than you, and there cannot be one. If you had not been there then, and even now, I don’t know what would have happened to me, because... - Tears suddenly poured into her eyes; she turned, raised the notes to her eyes, began to sing and began to walk around the hall again. At the same time, Petya ran out of the living room. Petya was now a handsome, ruddy fifteen-year-old boy with thick, red lips, similar to Natasha. He was preparing for university, but Lately, with his comrade Obolensky, secretly decided that he would join the hussars. Petya ran out to his namesake to talk about the matter. He asked him to find out if he would be accepted into the hussars. Pierre walked through the living room, not listening to Petya. Petya tugged at his hand to attract his attention. - Well, what’s my business, Pyotr Kirilych. For God's sake! There is only hope for you,” said Petya. - Oh yes, it's your business. To the hussars? I'll tell you, I'll tell you. I'll tell you everything today. - Well, mon cher, did you get the manifesto? - asked the old count. - And the countess was at mass at the Razumovskys, she heard a new prayer. Very good, he says. “Got it,” answered Pierre. - Tomorrow the sovereign will be... An extraordinary meeting of the nobility and, they say, a set of ten out of a thousand. Yes, congratulations. - Yes, yes, thank God. Well, what about the army? “Our people retreated again.” They say it’s already near Smolensk,” Pierre answered. - My God, my God! - said the count. -Where is the manifesto? - Appeal! Oh yes! - Pierre began to look in his pockets for papers and could not find them. Continuing to pat his pockets, he kissed the hand of the countess as she entered and looked around restlessly, apparently waiting for Natasha, who was no longer singing, but also did not come into the living room. “By God, I don’t know where I put him,” he said. “Well, he’ll always lose everything,” said the countess. Natasha came in with a softened, excited face and sat down, silently looking at Pierre. As soon as she entered the room, Pierre's face, previously gloomy, lit up, and he, continuing to look for papers, glanced at her several times. - By God, I’ll move out, I forgot at home. Definitely... - Well, you'll be late for lunch. - Oh, and the coachman left. But Sonya, who went into the hallway to look for the papers, found them in Pierre’s hat, where he carefully placed them in the lining. Pierre wanted to read. “No, after dinner,” said the old count, apparently anticipating great pleasure in this reading. At dinner, during which they drank champagne to the health of the new Knight of St. George, Shinshin told city news about the illness of the old Georgian princess, that Metivier had disappeared from Moscow, and that some German had been brought to Rastopchin and told him that it was champignon (as Count Rastopchin himself told), and how Count Rastopchin ordered the champignon to be released, telling the people that it was not a champignon, but just an old German mushroom. “They’re grabbing, they’re grabbing,” said the count, “I tell the countess to speak less French.” Now is not the time. -Have you heard? - said Shinshin. - Prince Golitsyn took a Russian teacher, he studies in Russian - il commence a devenir dangereux de parler francais dans les rues. [It becomes dangerous to speak French on the streets.] - Well, Count Pyotr Kirilych, how will they gather the militia, and you will have to mount a horse? - said the old count, turning to Pierre. Pierre was silent and thoughtful throughout this dinner. He looked at the count as if not understanding at this address. “Yes, yes, to war,” he said, “no!” What a warrior I am! But everything is so strange, so strange! Yes, I don’t understand it myself. I don’t know, I’m so far from military tastes, but in modern times no one can answer for themselves. After dinner, the count sat quietly in a chair and with a serious face asked Sonya, famous for her reading skills, to read. – “To our mother-throne capital, Moscow. The enemy entered Russia with great forces. He is coming to ruin our dear fatherland,” Sonya diligently read in her thin voice. The Count, closing his eyes, listened, sighing impulsively in some places. |
Narwhal belongs to cetacean mammals and is the only species of the narwhal genus, a unique and inimitable animal. In an adult animal, the body length is about 4-4.5 meters, sometimes reaching a length of six meters, and in newborns - a maximum of 1.5 meters.
In males, body weight reaches one and a half tons, with fat accounting for about a third of the total body weight. Females are smaller, their weight reaches 900 kilograms.
Appearance of a narwhal.
Narwhals have a round cylindrical head, rounded, blunt in front, with a powerful frontal tubercle, occupying about 1/6 of the length of the body. Their most characteristic distinguishing feature is a very peculiar system of dental structure.
More precisely, they have almost no teeth - only two upper teeth are present in the upper jaw, its left half. The right tooth usually remains in its infancy, hidden in the gum socket; the left one develops into a tusk up to two to three meters long - in males.
This tusk weighs up to 10 kilograms and is twisted in a left-handed spiral, it is powerful and wide, but towards the end it becomes thinner, covered with spirals and grooves. There is no enamel on the surface of the tooth.
The right tusk in a male and both tusks in a female, as a rule, do not develop and remain in the sockets of the gums, with exceptions occurring in one case out of 500. (And then the observer will be incredibly lucky to see a narwhal with two tusks).
If a female develops teeth, they grow small, not the same as those of males. When young, narwhals may have a few vestigial, underdeveloped teeth in the upper jaw, but these fall out quite early without developing.
If the male's left tusk breaks, it will not grow back, and his dental canal will be closed with a bone filling. Narwhal tusks are characterized by increased strength and flexibility - the end of the tusk can bend approximately 30 cm in any direction without breaking.
Due to the presence of only one tusk, the male's skull develops asymmetrically, the left side is more developed in the facial part, and the right side is more developed in the cranial part.
The narwhal's eyes are small, located slightly above the mouth, and the ear openings are 15 centimeters higher than the eyes. The small mouth is located below. The half-moon-shaped breathing hole is located at the top of the head.
The dorsal fin is absent, instead there is only a small fold of skin. Narwhals have small, oval-shaped flippers. The body is quite awkward. The tail is like an anchor with two wide legs; it consists of a pair of blades, separated along the rear edge of the fin by a rather deep notch. Its width can reach from a meter to 1.3 meters.
In terms of shape and body size, narwhals resemble beluga whales. But adult individuals are distinguished by irregularly shaped gray-brown spots on a yellowish-white background, although this is not the most striking feature of narwhals. In females these spots are smaller and more frequent.
The color of narwhals can generally vary; there are yellow-white, completely white and grayish-white without spots. A large number of subcutaneous fat allows the narwhal to feel comfortable in cold polar waters.
Why does a narwhal need a tusk?
So far, scientists have not finally agreed on what function the male tusk performs or what the purpose of its formation is in narwhals. The tusk can be used for fighting with other males and sometimes serves to break through the ice crust on the water (a male narwhal can break through the ice crust up to 5 cm and does this if necessary - but this is not the main purpose of the tusk).
There is a version that it is necessary for mating games, in order to attract females. According to another version, during mating tournaments narwhals rub their tusks - this fact has been repeatedly noticed by observers.
But Martin Nweeia and a team of researchers led by him in 2005 discovered that the tusk is pierced through with many tiny tubes containing nerve fibers.
Scientists have suggested that the tusk is a sensory organ and helps the narwhal sense changes in water temperature, its pressure and the concentration of any particles in the water. And they cross their tusks and rub them for the most banal reason - to clean them of growths, due to which the sensitivity of the tusk is lost.
Habitat.
The Liar prefers fairly cool water; it is truly an Arctic animal. Of course, with his amount of subcutaneous fat, no frost is scary!
This magnificent animal can be found in the summer in the waters of the Arctic Ocean and in the north Atlantic, in the waters of Davis Strait and Baffin Bay, near the coasts of Canada, Iceland and Greenland, and in winter it descends to Great Britain, White Sea, Novaya Zemlya, the Netherlands, Bering Island and the Murmansk coast, sometimes even off the coast of Germany; several such cases are known.
Thus, narwhals make seasonal migrations in the same way as floating ice - to the south in winter, to the north in summer. It is extremely rare to find a narwhal outside of polar waters, from 70 to 80 degrees north latitude, and then only in winter.
At this time of year, narwhals often live in ice holes among ice floes; in frozen ice holes, a male narwhal can break through ice up to 5 cm thick with his tusk, although even without a horn the female has enough muscle mass to break through the ice.
During the migration season, narwhals can gather in a large herd of up to 100-150 animals. In extreme cold, these cetaceans also gather in large groups in one ice hole and can become easy prey for hunters who are aware of this feature.
Narwhal nutrition.
Narwhals mainly eat cephalopods (squid, octopuses), less often they feed on fish and crustaceans, and mainly eat bottom living creatures - bulls, flounder, halibut, cod, rays).
Looking for food, they can dive to a depth of one to one and a half kilometers and are able to remain under water for a long time. And despite the fact that the narwhal is an air-breathing animal, many of these animals would not have enough air to swim to such depths. Bottom-dwelling fish are flushed from the ground using their tusk.
Narwhals have natural enemies - killer whales, polar bears, and also people; polar sharks often attack narwhal cubs.
Lifestyle.
As a rule, narwhals live alone or in small groups of 6-10 individuals. Usually in such a group there are either males or females with cubs. In a flock, narwhals are very, very talkative - they produce sharp sounds that resemble whistles, groans, mooing, squeaks, gurgles, and clicks. That is, their repertoire is quite diverse.
Narwhals can dive to fairly deep depths up to 15 times a day in winter to keep warm, and remain there for up to 25 minutes; they have the unique ability to retain a sufficient amount of air for such a long time.
In summer, as a rule, they live at depths of 30 to 300 meters, unless there is a special need for deep diving. In water they are quite mobile, despite their clumsiness, and can develop great speed if necessary.
Reproduction.
Mating for the most part occurs in the spring, pregnancy lasts approximately 15 months, more often one, less often two, cubs are born. Cubs are born black.
Once the male reaches a body length of four meters, and females reach 3.4 m, puberty begins - on average, after reaching 4-7 years. In nature they live up to 55 years, and in captivity - several months; captivity is tolerated very poorly. There are currently no known cases of narwhals breeding in captivity.
Enemies of narwhals.
Narwhals have natural enemies - killer whales, polar bears, and also people; polar sharks often attack narwhal cubs. When large areas of water freeze, narwhals die, like beluga whales. Boats are not attacked.
Their commercial value is small, so most of them are hunted by local residents. Representatives of northern peoples eat narwhals, such as the Eskimos.
They eat narwhal meat dried or boiled, and Europeans who settled in Greenland prefer to eat narwhal meat boiled or fried. Their fat serves as oil for lamps, and their intestines are used to make ropes.
In previous centuries, narwhal tusks were mistaken for the tusks of mythological animals - unicorns, and medicinal properties were attributed to them. Tusks are very valuable; various crafts are carved from them.
Since the inside of narwhal tusks is approximately half hollow, only small crafts can be made from them, just like from elephant tusks. One kilogram of narwhal tusks, one meter long, costs at least 12 marks, and from 2 meters and more - from 18 marks.
Since 1976 Canada has introduced restrictions on narwhal fishing: the killing of females with cubs is prohibited, a hunting quota has been introduced and an obligation to completely dispose of caught narwhals has been introduced.
Now narwhals are listed in the Red Book in category 3 - “rare small species.” Their estimated number is about 40 thousand animals; exact data is not available.
More interesting articles
Narwhal is a beautiful mammal that lives in the northern waters of the globe.
Appearance of a narwhal
Powerful animals, weighing more than a ton, with a body reaching 5 meters in length. The bulk of the body mass is made up of adipose tissue, which is vital for survival in harsh Arctic waters. Males are almost one and a half times larger than females. Narwhals resemble dolphins or whales in appearance. They have a large round head, but a very small mouth and no fin on their back. The coloring of narwhals is not uniform; their entire body is covered with dark gray spots that almost merge with the light gray background.
Drawing of a narwhal. Narwhals have no teeth, but have a pair of large upper teeth. After eruption, the left tooth of males turns into a spirally twisted tusk and can reach 3 meters in length and weigh up to 10 kg. The right tooth turns into a tusk in very rare cases. Females have no tusks. Tusks are characterized by high strength and flexibility, so under natural conditions it is almost impossible to break them.
Until now, scientists have not come to a consensus on the purpose of the tusk. Some believe that the tusk is necessary for males during mating games to attract a female. Others believe that tusks are needed for obtaining food, because narwhals can dive greater depth and use the tusk to lift fish from the bottom. There is also an opinion that the tusk is a sensory organ, as it consists of many tubes riddled with nerve endings. Therefore, with the help of its tusk, the narwhal can determine the temperature, pressure and purity of water. Narwhals value their tusks very much, so they never use them as weapons for attack.
Narwhal breeding
Due to their large size, narwhals can easily swim alone, but most often they gather in groups. The group can number about 10 individuals, but males and females never gather in one cluster. Narwhals are sociable animals; they constantly communicate using various sounds similar to those made by beluga whales.
The mating season falls in the spring. The gestation period does not exceed 15 months and ends with the birth of 1 cub. By 5-6 years of age, narwhals reach sexual maturity and can reproduce.
The lifespan of a narwhal reaches 60 years, but in captivity the animals will not live even six months.
Diet and lifestyle of narwhals
Narwhals live in the cold waters of the North Atlantic and Arctic Ocean. In summer, animals migrate to the waters of the White Sea.
In summer, narwhals descend to shallow depths and rarely rise to the surface. And in winter they live among the ice near the surface of the water.
The diet of narwhals mainly consists of mollusks and various fish, which they successfully flush from depths of up to 1 km with the help of their tusks.
Narwhals have their enemies. Polar bears hunt them from land, and killer whales pose a danger in the water.
Distribution of narwhals
Narwhals can be found in the waters of the Canadian archipelago, off the coast of Greenland, Franz Josef Land, and the North Island of Novaya Zemlya. In summer, animals migrate to the Netherlands, the White Sea and Bering Island.
Photos of narwhals
Photo: a narwhal peeks out of the water. 
Photo: a flock of narwhals. 
Photo of a narwhal. 
Photos of narwhals. 
Photo of narwhals in the water. Protecting the narwhal population
From time immemorial, Arctic residents have hunted narwhals for their meat and fat. Fat is used for lamps, intestines are used to make ropes, and various crafts are carved from tusks. Narwhal skin contains vitamin C.
The Canadian government has banned the slaughter of females with cubs and introduced a certain tax on the production of animals in hunting areas.
Narwhals are listed in the Red Book as a rare and small species.
Currently, the narwhal population numbers only 23 thousand individuals, which allows us to call these animals an endangered species.
GIF: narwhals. 
In the order of cetaceans there is a huge number various types mammals. The most notable among them are narwhals. They owe their popularity to their long horn or tusk, which protrudes straight from their mouth and reaches a length of 3 meters. This tusk consists of bone tissue, but along with its hardness, it is extremely flexible. In reality, it is nothing more than one of the two upper teeth that has pierced the upper lip and come out. Such a tusk weighs 10 kg.
The narwhal has no more teeth. Females and males have only two of them. The left tooth grows into the tusk only in males. The right tooth is hidden in the upper gum and does not manifest itself in any way throughout its life. Very rarely, in some individuals it also begins to grow rapidly and turns into a second tusk. What this is connected with is unknown. But it’s no secret that if a narwhal breaks its tusk or horn, it never grows back, and the wound is quickly healed with bone tissue, and the mammal continues to live with the broken piece, without experiencing any discomfort.
For greater elasticity and reliability, the tusk is twisted clockwise and has a spiral shape. It contains a huge number of microscopic cavities. They are filled with very sensitive nerve endings. Why does an animal need such a complex and, at first glance, absolutely useless apparatus? There is no answer to this question. Most likely, the tusk performs the functions of some kind of locator or transceiver antenna. It monitors changes in temperature and pressure in the environment, and through it the narwhal can inform its relatives of danger. All this is guesswork and speculation. It is also confusing that females do not have such formations. They are the prerogative of males. Males often rub their antlers, thus cleaning them of mineral deposits and growths.
Appearance and habitat
The narwhal is a fairly large animal. Some representatives of this species reach 5 meters in length. The usual length ranges from 4 meters. The male weighs one and a half tons. Females weigh from 900 kg to a ton. For some reason, this mammal does not have a dorsal fin. Only side fins and a powerful tail are available. The narwhal's head is round, with a prominent frontal tubercle. The mouth is low and very small. The belly of the mammal is light in color. The back and head are much darker. The entire upper part of the body is covered with grayish-brown spots of varying sizes, making the back and head even darker. The eyes are small, deeply recessed, with actively circulating intraocular fluid. That is, they are fully adapted to the harsh Arctic conditions, and are also endowed with acute vision.
Narwhals have a thick layer of subcutaneous fat. This is not surprising, since their entire life passes in the cold waters of the Arctic Ocean. The Canadian Arctic Archipelago region, Greenland and Svalbard are their favorite places. They also like the waters near Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya. During winter they can be found in the bays of the Bering Sea. Here they get all the way to the Commander Islands. During this cold season they are also frequent guests in the White Sea.
In the short Arctic summer, when the ice retreats, the narwhal can even reach 85° N. w. With the onset of autumn, the mammal moves south. In winter, it prefers polynyas with an ice shell covering the water. Near these small holes in the ice, narwhals while away the harsh Arctic winter months. Frost often covers ice holes with thin ice. Males break this barrier to the air with their heads. It must be said that they are even capable of breaking through an ice crust 10 cm thick.
Although these animals are relatives of dolphins, they are significantly superior in their capabilities. This primarily concerns staying in the deep sea. The dolphin is capable of diving to a maximum of 300 meters. The narwhal easily overcomes this mark and can feel quite comfortable at a depth of 500 and even 600 meters. It is believed that these animals dive even to a depth of 1000 meters. The same applies to the time spent under water. For a dolphin, the limit is 15 minutes. Its brother with a long horn is able to remain without air for as long as 25 minutes. So depths of the sea for the narwhal they are almost a home.
Reproduction and lifestyle
These mammals reproduce slowly. They reach sexual maturity only at 5 years of age. They mate in the spring. Pregnancy lasts 15 months. One cub is born. Twins are a very rare occurrence. The baby is born large. Its body length is one and a half meters. Females that have given birth unite into one flock. It can consist of 10-15 individuals. Males live separately. They also unite in groups of 10-12 heads.
Narwhals feed mainly on mollusks and crustaceans. Fish is also included in their diet. The same cod, flounder, halibut and goby are an integral part of the menu of these animals. When hunting bottom fish, the male often uses his tusk. He scares the victim with it, forcing it to rise from the bottom.
The study of these cetacean mammals is a very difficult task. The thing is that the narwhal does not live in captivity. Once captured, he begins to waste away day by day and after three weeks dies. There is no question about breeding in captivity at all. But in the ocean, the animal lives up to 40-45 years. Nowadays, there are about 50 thousand heads of these amazing creations of nature.
Enemies
The narwhal has serious enemies. The first place of honor is occupied by man. He kills an animal for its fat, as well as for sport, to show off his exotic horn to his friends. Nowadays, killing females with cubs is strictly prohibited. This is considered poaching. Only the indigenous peoples of the north are allowed to kill males. The rest of the two-legged public has no right to engage in narwhal fishing. If these prohibitions were strictly followed, then life would be much easier for poor mammals.
Killer whales take second place. These powerful and ferocious predators mercilessly kill narwhals if they get in their way. As a result, animals with tusks try to get as far into cold waters as possible. They also prefer narrow and long fjords, where huge killer whales prefer not to swim.
The polar bear is in third place. Clubfoot catches narwhals in the harsh winter, when these animals cluster near small holes in the ice. The predator usually lies quietly near the hole and waits for the narwhal to stick its head out of the water to take a life-giving breath of air. As a rule, the hunt is successful. But the bear is only lucky once.
Having lost a comrade, the flock begins to make sharp sounds. They are somewhat reminiscent of a shrill whistle. Other flocks respond to it, clustering in the distance near similar holes. Those in trouble move towards them, and the unlucky predator is left with his nose. In general, narwhals are very talkative. They communicate with each other through gurgling or whistling-like sounds. Sometimes you can hear a moo or something similar to a creaking sound.
The fourth enemy of these mammals is considered to be walruses. True, they are not as dangerous as other predators. The majority of fanged animals are quite loyal to narwhals. Only individual cleavers can show a sudden attack of aggression and kill an unwary animal with a horn.
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