Watch a Group of Narwhals Gather — and Learn Why They Do

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Have you ever seen a group of narwhals gather, such as they are in the above video? These unusual aquatic mammals are marked by a distinctive tusk, and are often claimed as the origin for unicorns, much like mermaids and the manatee. The reason these incredible animals gather is far more utilitarian than you might think, as we’ll explore further on.

Do Narwhals Gather in Groups?

Yes, very often in fact. Groups are noted in the rare opportunities scientists have been able to document their findings. This also happens during their lengthy migration season, with pods of narwhals taking to the waterways to travel around 1,100 miles on average to reach their summer destination.

Are Narwhals Vulnerable to the Cold?

On the contrary, narwhals thrive in the cold. While these cetaceans have a massive range in terms of overall travel, they are most notably seen along the Arctic Circle. The cold isn’t even a hindrance for these animals, unless you consider looking for the search for thick sheets of ice an inconvenience. Narwhals, like many species seen around the Arctic, have a thick layer of blubber which serves to keep them warm in the freezing waters.

Why Narwhals Gather

Unusually, narwhals gather not based around traditional familial structure, but rather gender. It isn’t unusual to see a group of 500 narwhals during a migration and it’s mostly females and their young. This likewise applies to bull narwhals, who congregate together as well. The exact reasoning behind gathering together isn’t fully known. You could hypothesize that part of it is to protect the young, but that wouldn’t explain why adult males gather in massive groups.

How Narwhals Use Their Tusks

Contrary to popular belief, the tusk of a narwhal isn’t a true tusk, like an elephant’s. Instead, a narwhal tusk is a large, specialized canine tooth. It doesn’t have a hunting purpose, as narwhals typically swallow prey whole. Instead, it is thought to be a function of sexual dimorphism, being unique to males of the species.

Conclusion

Narwhals gather as a means of traveling together, with most groups typically only equaling out to around 5 to 10 of the animals in a location. Given the secretive nature of these animals, it is hard to get definitive data points on the exact purpose behind their behaviors. One thing is for certain though, they certainly are majestic animals.