Narwhal

Key Points
Welcome to the Narwhal Quiz, where you can test your knowledge and learn more about one of the most mystical mammals! Narwhals are known for their long tusk that protrudes from the top of their head which is why they are often called the unicorn of the sea. This cousin of the whale doesn't migrate but tends to remain in the Artic and many may spend the winter under the sea ice.
Take the quiz to test your knowledge of Narwhals if you believe you know everything there is to know about them or if you simply want to learn more about these fascinating animals!
Quiz Questions
- What is the scientific name for the narwhal?
-
- Odobenus rosmarus
- Phoca vitulina
- Erignathus barbatus
- Monodon monoceros
- What is the narwhal's tusk actually made of?
-
- Ivory
- Horn
- Cartilage
- Bone
- What is the purpose of the narwhal's tusk?
-
- To communicate with other narwhals
- To attract mates
- To defend against predators
- To break through ice
- What is the average length of a narwhal's tusk?
-
- 6-8 feet
- 1-2 feet
- 5-6 feet
- 7-8 feet
- What is the average weight of a male narwhal?
-
- 1,600-2,000 pounds
- 1,200-1,600 pounds
- 800-1,200 pounds
- 2,000-2,400 pounds
- What is the average weight of a female narwhal?
-
- 1,200-1,600 pounds
- 2,000-2,400 pounds
- 800-1,200 pounds
- 1,600-2,000 pounds
- What is the narwhal's primary food source?
-
- Squid
- Krill
- Fish
- Shrimp
- What is the narwhal's scientific classification?
-
- Fish
- Mammal
- Reptile
- Bird
- What is the narwhal's primary predator?
-
- Human
- Killer whale
- Walrus
- Polar bear
- What is the narwhal's average lifespan?
-
- 10-20 years
- 20-30 years
- 40-50 years
- 30-40 years
- What is the narwhal's habitat?
-
- Arctic waters
- Tropical waters
- Freshwater rivers
- Deep sea trenches
- What is the narwhal's average body length?
-
- 12-15 feet
- 10-12 feet
- 13-18 feet
- 16-18 feet
- What is the narwhal's diving depth?
-
- 300-400 feet
- 200-300 feet
- 1,500-3,000 feet
- 100-200 feet
- What is the narwhal's swimming speed?
-
- 10-15 mph
- 5-10 mph
- 20-25 mph
- 15-20 mph
- What is the narwhal's scientific family?
-
- Monodontidae
- Odobenidae
- Phocidae
- Delphinidae
- What is the narwhal's scientific order?
-
- Artiodactyla
- Carnivora
- Perissodactyla
- Primates
- What is the narwhal's population status?
-
- Threatened
- Near threatened
- Vulnerable
- Least concern
History Of The Species
Narwhals have been depicted in many historical, cultural and literary representations for many years. From books, the 1879 novel Twenty-Thousand Leagues Under The Sea where Jules Verne referenced the unicorn of the sea, and the 1851 novel Moby Dick where Herman Melville referenced narwhal tusks, to cultural, where in medieval Europe it was believed that the narwhal tusks for horns from the unicorn and that they carried magical powers that could cure disease and neutralize poison. But just where did this mythical creature come from?
This ancient mammal evolved during the Pliocene era, roughly 2.5 to 5.3 million years ago. They diverged from another group of whales, Delphinoides, around 11 million years ago and may have originally lived in warmer waters but due to the changing ecological system during the Pliocene, migrated to the Arctic. Like all cetaceans, they are a descendant of land mammals that changed in the evolutionary process.
Interesting Facts About Narwhals
The name Narwhal comes from Norsemen who named it for the blotchy color of their skin, which they thought resembled the gray pallor of a drowned man. This name translates to "whale corpse" which some believe sealed this unicorn of the sea's fate. Read on to discover more interesting facts!
Famous Narwhals
Narwhals have appeared in books for many years but they also appear in movies! Check out these movies and TV shows where you can see the mystical narwhal:


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