Few animals are known to have tusks on land and in the sea. Among the sea mammals with a tusk are narwhals. The long tusk is majestic, but there is more to it than decoration. I hire experts to get my papers done, and quality delivered.
As fascinating as narwhals are, they are interesting creatures to study. Here are facts that will fascinate you about the narwhals.
Unicorn Of The Sea
The whale has majesty surrounding its existence. The task was considered a symbol of loyalty and handed over to kings in the medieval age. Queen Elizabeth received a unicorn horn worth $10,000 in the 16th century. The whales continue to fascinate humanity because of the mystery that comes with their existence.
The Tusk Is A Tooth
Though the tusk protrudes from the middle of the head, it emerges from the left tooth of the upper jaw. The corresponding right tooth is small and therefore, does not leave the mouth. The Narwhals tooth is different compared to the composition of many teeth in the animal kingdom. Most teeth are soft on the inside and hard on the outside. The whale has a soft exterior and a hard interior. We will soon find out why the surface is soft.
The Tusk Grows Up To Ten Feet Long
The tusk grows throughout the life of the whale. It means that it can achieve incredible lengths. The longest recorded tusk was 10 feet. This tusk can bend for up to a foot before it breaks. The tusk naturally spirals to the left as it grows. Though the tusk will bend, it remains reliable and flexible.
The Tusk Works As A Sensor
Speculations are live about the uses of the tusk by the whale. Legends and postulations also seek to explain the purpose of this elongated tooth. It is thought to be a weapon or to assert dominance in the group. Some speculators also believed that it helps in hunting.
Research on Narwhals revealed that the task has massive sensors. The nerves detect the water temperature, pressure, and salinity, among other elements and send the same information to the brain. However, the theory of a sensory organ was put to question by the discovery that not all female whales have the tusk. It is only available in 15% of Narwhals. This discovery almost makes researchers believe that the tusk is an accessory other than a functional sensor.
Meant For The Wild
Narwhals live in the arctic waters throughout the year. Researchers and conservationists have attempted to capture the whales, but they all die within months. Currently, there are no Narwhals in captivity. Their home is around the waters of Canada, Russia, and Greenland.
In the absence of scientific evidence that the tusks are used for hunting, protection, or sensing the environment around the whales, the conclusion is that they are accessories. The presence of sensitive nerves at the edges of these tusks make the world also to assign the tusks the role of sensing the environment around. Since the whales have refused to stay in captivity, the conclusion on the use of the elongated tooth has to wait.
