Title: 7 Fascinating Facts About Narwhals | Mental Floss
Headings: 7 Fascinating Facts About Narwhals
7 Fascinating Facts About Narwhals
1. Its tusk is actually a tooth
2. The tusk can grow to be 10 feet long
3. It can bend about a foot before breaking
4. We’re not entirely sure what it’s for
5. Not all narwhals have tusks
6. Their skin is rich in vitamin C
7. There are none in captivity

Content: 7 Fascinating Facts About Narwhals | Mental Floss
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7 Fascinating Facts About Narwhals
BY Jessica Hullinger
April 3, 2014
Wikimedia Commons
There are few creatures I find so fascinating as the narwhal. Like many tusked animals, this arctic whale has a majestic quality to it. In medieval times, its long, straight tusk was often given to royalty, passed off as a “unicorn horn.” In the 16th century, a narwhal tusk worth £10,000 was given to Queen Elizabeth. Today, the narwhal still holds our interest, and its tusk remains one of the most mysterious things about these creatures. Here’s what we know about them. 1. Its tusk is actually a tooth
While it might appear to be situated in the center of its head, the narwhal’s tusk is actually an exaggerated front left tooth that protrudes from the upper lip. The right front tooth is small, and usually remains in the mouth. Stranger still, while most teeth (including human teeth) have a hard exterior and a soft, sensitive interior, narwhal teeth are the opposite. “