Graphic

Ar Kive: Narwhal (Monodon Monoceros)

Curated by ACT

Famous for its unicorn-like single tusk, narwhals have inspired legends in many cultures and are still revered across the world. The smooth, white tusk is normally found only on males and is the result of extreme growth of the left elongated maxillary tooth that protrudes through the upper lip in a spiral form. It is believed by the majority of the scientific community that the tusk is a secondary characteristic. Females occasionally grow a tusk and males have been seen with two, or none. The largest tusk ever measured was a massive 267 centimeters. Narwhals have a conical body shape and flexible neck with a mottled blue, black, grey and white body fading onto the underside. Older males can be distinguished by their white bodies with mottling only on the top of the back. The dorsal fin is just a low, inconspicuous ridge and the tail fin is concave.

3 Views 0 Downloads
Resource Details
Grade
9th - 10th
Subjects
All Subjects
Resource Type
Graphics & Images
Audiences
For Administrator Use
2 more...
Lexile Measures
0L