Carlton SimsTony GirodAcademy World LiteratureMay 20, 2014Narwhals are toothed whales found primarily in the Arctic. The protruding tusk at the front of the narwhal is often mistaken for a horn, but it is actually a canine tooth. Excluding the tusk, both sexes of narwhals can reach a length of between 8 and 13 feet. The narwhal can also weigh up to almost 2 tons. Narwhals are mammals like any other whale, but narwhals do not have dorsal fins on their backs and their vertebrate necks are fused unlike most whales. Narwhals are a strange type of mammal because they are whales. Most whales do not have protruding canines. Narwhal taxonomy includes: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, order Cetacea, family Monodontidae, genus Monodon and species Monodon monoceros. Narwhals are predominantly white, while on their backs, white, green and brown spots are present all over their backs. These spots serve as countershading so that they are camouflaged from an upper and lower side view. Narwhals are mainly found in colder waters such as the Canadian Arctic and Greenlandic waters. Narwhals have a specific diet that varies with the seasons. In winter, narwhals feed on animals and prey located on the ocean floor. In summer, narwhals eat fish like Arctic cod and halibut. Narwhals migrate from cold Arctic bays in summer to open ocean waters located in the Arctic Ocean in winter. Narwhals can dive up to 4,900 feet in winter and are capable of holding their breath up to 25 feet. Narwhals can live up to fifty years. The main reason for their death is unnatural. In winter, when the ice freezes above the water, narwhals suffocate from lack of oxygen. Another...... middle of paper...... that's the unicorn, if it existed. The narwhal is an amazing animal that must be conserved. Many companies contribute to the conservation of this species, but it is still hunted by the Inuit for its ivory tusks. There's not much you can do to help because most people don't live in the Arctic. Even if a narwhal's tusk is removed, it is necessary for the narwhal to mate. It is used to show rivals that they are better for their partner. Sometimes females use their tusks, but not as often as males. You can donate to these conservation companies to help them. Narwhal tusks are worth a lot today, but their possession is highly illegal. A case where a New Brunswicker smuggled in narwhal tusks and was arrested. This man was fined $385,000. Narwhals are truly awesome animals and don't deserve to become extinct. Please protect narwhals living in the Arctic.