Narwhals are a type of whale that are known for their long, spiral tusks that can grow up to 10 feet long! These unique creatures live in the Arctic waters around Greenland, Canada, and Russia. Here are some interesting facts about narwhals that kids will love to know:
1. Narwhals use their tusks to poke holes in the ice to breathe. When the Arctic water freezes over in the winter, the narwhals create small holes in the ice with their tusks to use as breathing holes.
2. Narwhals are related to beluga whales. Both narwhals and beluga whales are part of the Monodontidae family, which is a small family of whales that are adapted to life in the Arctic.
3. Narwhals can dive as deep as 5,000 feet. They are able to hold their breath for up to 25 minutes, which allows them to dive deep in search of food.
4. Narwhals eat fish and squid. They use their sharp teeth to catch their prey, which they swallow whole.
5. Narwhals are social animals. They travel in groups called pods, which can range in size from just a few narwhals to hundreds.
6. Narwhals can communicate with each other using a variety of sounds. They make clicking and whistling noises, and are also able to produce echolocation clicks to help them navigate in the murky Arctic waters.
7. Narwhals have thick blubber to keep them warm. The blubber layer can be as much as 6 inches thick, which helps to insulate their bodies in the freezing Arctic waters.
8. Narwhals are not endangered, but they are considered vulnerable. The population of narwhals is estimated to be around 80,000, but they are facing threats from climate change, habitat loss, and pollution.
