Title: Narwhal FAQ – Kristin Laidre
Headings: Narwhal FAQ
Narwhal FAQ
What is the narwhal tusk and what is it used for?
What do narwhals look like?
Where does the word ‘narwhal’ come from?
What are the reproductive patterns of narwhals?
How long do narwhals live?
How many narwhals are there in the world? Is it all one population?
Do narwhals travel in pods and how big are pods?
How do you figure out where narwhals go and what they do underwater?
Do narwhals migrate and what is their seasonal cycle?
How deep do narwhals dive?
How do narwhals make such deep dives?
Why do they make deep dives?
How do you know what narwhals eat if you can’t see them underwater?
Do narwhals like sea ice?
What is an ice entrapment?
Do narwhals make noises?
Do research collaborations involve native communities?
Why is the narwhal important to native communities?
Why is it important to study narwhals?
What threats are currently facing narwhals?
Can narwhals survive climate change?
Where can I find references for all of the above?
Other useful links to narwhal information

Content: This observation echoes one made by the arctic explorer William Scoresby in his book: An Account of the Arctic Regions with a History and Description of the Northern Whale-Fishery (1820). Because his observations stand up to modern scientific scrutiny, I’d like to offer the following complete quote: “The use of the tusk in narwals (sic.) is ambiguous. It cannot be essential for procuring their food, or none of them would be without it: nor is it, perhaps, necessary for their defence, else the females and young would be subjected to the power of enemies without the means of resistance, while the male would be in possession of an admirable weapon for its protection. Dr Barclay, with whom I have communicated on this subject, is of opinion, that the tusk is principally, if not solely, a sexual distinction, similar to what occurs among some other animals. Though it cannot be essential to the existence of the animal, it may, however, be occasionally employed.” The deepest narwhal dives occur during winter, when the narwhals are in the offshore wintering grounds and in areas covered with sea ice.