The name “narwhal” is Old Norse in origin. Derived from a word meaning “corpse,” it refers to the color of adult narwhals (Monodon monoceros), which are white-grey with blotches of dark gray. The body length of males may reach 15 feet, while the tusk adds another 5 to 9 feet, and weigh up to 3000 lbs. Narwhals are relatively reclusive whales about which not a great deal is known. They are seldom seen south of the Arctic Circle. It is estimated that there are only approximately 10,000 to 45,000 narwhals alive today.

The “horn” is an extremely elongated, hollow tooth which always spirals counter-clockwise from the left side of the skull. There have been sightings of narwhals with two tusks present. Almost exclusively seen in males, there are only scattered reports of females developing a tusk. Narwhals have no other visible teeth in their jaws. As the tusk grows, it forms a continued solid spiral, a pattern faithfully reproduced by ancient artists trying to capture the likeness of the unicorn. Why this twisted growth should occur is a question that has long had no good answer and the function of the tusk is still open to debate. Although many have speculated that it may be used for defense or for securing food, it is most likely a secondary sexual characteristic. Behavioral and anatomical evidence suggests males use it in aggressive encounters when trying to obtain mates.

Ancient Vikings, with whom the term ‘narwhal’ originated, used to trade the horns to Europeans as Unicorn horns. A tusk often weighed up to twenty-two pounds, are still considered rare and valuable treasures, with some ancient superstitions still attached. Vikings considered killing a Narwhal for its tusk unlucky, while finding one washed ashore was believed to be a sign of great fortune. Narwhals have never been a target for commercial whalers, although tusks were regularly traded. They are preyed upon by killer whales and Greenland sharks, but their main enemy is man. Since some still believe their tusk possess almost magical healing and aphrodisiastic properties, they are still illegally hunted today. They are protected by both national and international laws. Current legislation restricts their use to Inuit for subsistence or domestic reasons. A quota system, which came into effect in 1977, requires hunters to possess a tag for each animal taken.