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Narwhals: The Icy Arctic's Real-Life Unicorns
1 Oct, 2025
Summary
- Narwhals, known as "unicorns of the sea", have long spiral tusks
- Narwhal tusks were once sold as mythical unicorn horns in medieval Europe
- Climate change and human activity threaten these unique Arctic whales
In the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean, a remarkable creature known as the "unicorn of the sea" swims. The narwhal, a type of whale, is very much real, unlike its land-bound, imaginary counterpart. What sets the narwhal apart is its long, spiral tusk that can grow up to 10 feet long, protruding from its head.
Back in medieval Europe, these tusks were misleadingly sold as real unicorn horns. Royal families paid huge sums of money for them, believing they had magical powers or could detect poison. However, these "unicorn horns" were actually just the teeth of the narwhal, a species found in the far-flung, icy regions of the Arctic.
Today, narwhals continue to fascinate scientists, who believe the tusk helps the whales detect changes in their environment, such as temperature or water pressure. It may also play a role in attracting mates. However, these unique creatures now face new challenges.
