BWB – The oceanic unicorn

Published by Fatima Kutzschbach on January 1, 2026

Narwhales are among the most extraordinary marine mammals on Earth. They live in the cold waters of the Arctic and are primarily found in the North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean.

A distinctive feature of narwhals is their long tusk, which has earned them the nickname “unicorns of the sea.”

The tusk is not a horn but a greatly elongated left canine tooth, which grows through the upper lip in many males, and more rarely in females. It can reach a length of up to three meters and has a spiraled structure.

For a long time, the tusk was thought to be solely a weapon or a tool for breaking ice. Today, it is known to serve an important sensory function. The tusk is penetrated by millions of fine nerve channels that detect stimuli from the surrounding water.

Narwhales can use it to sense changes in temperature, salinity, and pressure. This ability helps them navigate their complex environment and locate suitable hunting grounds.

In addition, the tusk plays a role in social behavior. Male Narwhales display it during encounters, engage in gentle sparring with one another, and communicate through posture and movement.

Thus, the tusk is not an aggressive tool but a sensitive organ. Narwhales illustrate how diverse and specialized adaptations in the ocean can be and how closely form, function, and habitat are interconnected.

By Fatima Kutzschbach