Shutterstock Narwhals are one of the most interesting and weirdest animals on the planet. These shy whales boast a long horn (that is actually a tooth) and live in the cold waters of the Arctic.

"It is quite an overwhelming experience to stand there in the water and help hold a live narwhal and feel the tusk," he says. "It almost looks like it has been fashioned and carved. It has a ...

Humans have long been fascinated with narwhal tusks. During the Middle Ages, the long, spiraled teeth — mistaken for unicorn horns — were the prized possessions of European royalty.

NELL GREENFIELDBOYCE, BYLINE: The tusk that sticks out of a narwhal's head can be up to 10 feet long. Greg O'Corry-Crowe is a zoologist with Florida Atlantic University.

Humans have long been fascinated with narwhal tusks. During the Middle Ages, the long, spiraled teeth — mistaken for unicorn horns — were the prized possessions of European royalty.

The Arctic's iconic narwhal, renowned for its long, spiral tusk, is one of nature's most fascinating creatures. Yet, few have witnessed how these elusive animals use their tusks in the wild.

The narwhal, often referred to as the “unicorn of the sea” in a nod to its trademark tusk, has long remained an enigma. Scientists have observed few interactions of narwhals in their natural ...

Humans have long been fascinated with narwhal tusks. During the Middle Ages, the long, spiraled teeth — mistaken for unicorn horns — were the prized possessions of European royalty.

They captured footage of narwhals using their tusks to mess with fish, and even saw a narwhal repeatedly strike a fish with its tusk. But narwhal experts don't agree on what these observations mean.

Narwhal whales live in social groups called pods and live in the Arctic ocean. Experts disagree on the purpose of males' tusks. The long, spiral tusks of narwhals could be used by these Arctic whales ...

Does the narwhal's famous tusk help it catch fish? By Nell Greenfieldboyce Published March 10, 2025 at 8:01 AM EDT CoreyFord/Getty Images/iStockphoto ...

Does the narwhal's famous tusk help it catch fish? Nell Greenfieldboyce March 10, 2025 / 5:01 am ...