The Narwhal is classified as a “near threatened” species by the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. Some of the factors responsible for this status include hunting and climate change. But it’s been said that their numbers have increased due to intensive conservation efforts in recent years. It is also believed that there are about 200,000 narwhals in the arctic today. This means their numbers are not extinct yet, but at risk of extinction. However, more studies need to be conducted to determine the exact health of narwhal populations worldwide.

Narwhals are sometimes hunted by native people in Greenland and Canada, which is allowed as long as they have a proper license. The Inuit population of North America also hunts them for food.
Fortunately, people from countries where they can be hunted have quotas for how many males and females are taken each year. This is done so that their numbers remain consistent and do not get overhunted.

Even though so many controversies around these marine mammals, it has been made illegal to hunt them for their ivory tusks.

Why does a narwhal have a tusk?

Narwhals are probably the only species of marine mammal in which males develop a long spiral tusk. They use this tooth-like structure to attract females during the summer mating season.
It is believed that an average narwhal can reach about 16 feet in length and weigh anywhere from 1500 to 3500 pounds. Males usually develop a single tusk that can grow more than nine feet long, but females never produce them.

The Narwhal has also been called the “sea unicorn” because of its single ivory tusk, a susceptible tooth that can measure up to 9 feet long. The males use this tusk to attract mates during the summer mating season and probably protect predators.

Also interesting is how Narwhal uses their tusks when traveling in groups. It has been said that males will align their tusks vertically to create a sort of “corridor” that enables a single narwhal to swim between other group members.

Their tusks are an impressive adaptation to their arctic habitat. These ivory teeth can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh as much as 45 pounds for males.

The tusks of Narwhal are among the most valuable ivory globally due to their exquisite color and patterning. However, it is illegal to trade or sell narwhal products due to their endangered classification under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).

Narwhal Facts In A Nutshell

Narwhals live in the arctic waters of Canada, Greenland, Russia, and Norway and can live in waters with temperatures of -1°C or 30°C.

The narwhals’ diet primarily consists of fish, crustaceans, and squid living in Arctic waters.
These marine mammals are preyed upon by killer whales and sharks.

Despite their tendency to stay close to one another when in groups, they do not form schools or pods like many other species.