Narwhals are one of the most underestimated animals on our planet. Only a couple years ago did people start to recognize that narwhals need our help. Some people, like myself and some of my friends, are obsessed with them.
One thing you should know is the number of narwhals left on Earth is between 50,000 and 80,000. It may sound like a lot but in truth some animals, like dogs, have a lot more. With dogs, there are around 900 million left.
Narwhals face threats such as oil and gas development, and climate change. Because of the increasing development, there are more ships, which makes noise underwater and can interfere with narwhal communication.
Before I give you the facts, here are some student opinions about narwhals.
Danny says, “I think that narwhals are cute and awesome. More people should help them.”
Avery says, “I think people should help narwhals because they are endangered. I also like their horn.”
The narwhal’s tusk (more commonly found on males) is actually a tooth! The amount of tusks a narwhal can have is anywhere from none to two. The tusk can be up to 10 feet long!
Narwhals live in the icy waters of Norway, Canada, Russia and Greenland. Narwhals winter up to 5 months under the icy waters in the Davis Strait area.
Narwhals have a big diet consisting of Greenland halibut, polar and Arctic cod, squid and shrimp. They eat at the ice flow edge and in ice-free summer waters.
Narwhal can dive up to a mile deep. When they need air, they pop up in cracks in the ice.
Narwhals change color throughout life. When they are babies, narwhals are blue-gray, juveniles, blue and black, and adults are mottled gray. Old narwhals are white.
These are the facts. One day, all animals will need our help, not just narwhals.