The narwhal is considered to be one of the world’s most bizarre marine mammals. For starters, it has this one tusk sticking out from the top of its skull. Some scientists compare the tusk to a jousting knight’s lance, as it can extend from six to nine feet straight from its head.
Scientists have their own theories as to how and why these mammals developed their unicorn-like horns, but no one is sure how it evolved. Only male narwhals grow a single tusk, which can suggest that it has a function in reproduction. A possible theory is that females judge their mates by the size of their tusks, but this has not been proven.
This unique feature has intrigued experts for so long. This is because no other animal has anything like it. According to the curator of marine mammals at the Smithsonian, Michael McGowen, the tusk is a giant tooth. “The tusk grows out the front of the narwhal’s head, protruding horizontally through the animal’s upper lip. They have no other erupted teeth except for this single tusk,” he explained.
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