Ever wondered why narwhals have that long, unicorn-like tusk?
If you’re not familiar with the species, narwhals are medium-sized whales that live year-round in the Arctic.
What makes them unique is their prominent pointy tusk. The massive single tusk is actually a hollow canine tooth that projects through the left side of the upper jaw. It continually grows in a helix-like pattern, and can reach lengths of 10 feet!
Males always have these tusks, while only 15% of females possess one. Occasionally, males will grow two.
Most of us have imagined that this giant tooth is used as a sort of weapon when males are sizing each other up and battling for territory or a mate. Some have even thought of it as an ice pick or a way to pick up sounds in the water.
It turns out, however, that the tusks are actually innervated sensory organs that connect stimuli from the ocean water to the brain.
This means that narwhals can, in a way, “taste” changes in water chemistry and temperature using their tusks. Utilizing such a system allows them to find food or become aware of when females are ready to mate.
When males are seen rubbing their tusks together, it’s hypothesized that this is not just a jousting match but rather a way to communicate to one another where each has travelled.
Of course, we can never know for sure, and it’s likely that females may choose males based on tusk size, which could be one reason why they evolution has kept them around.
What do you think?
