Narwhal Whales

Narwhal Whales are the strangest looking whales.

Narwhal Whales (Monodon monoceros) are the only species (of genus Monodon) within the family Monodontidae.

A pod of male narwhals gather at the Arctic ice edge to eat cod

Poster by AllPosters. Click on thumbnail to buy

Narwhals are small to medium sized
(upto 1600kg) animals with mottled
grey skin, round heads and lack a dorsal fin.

They are close relatives to Belugas
and both inhabit Arctic waters although, Narwhals live even farther north than Belugas - above 80 degrees latitude, in the Arctic Ocean.

Narwhals are resting in a hole in the sea ice

Poster by AllPosters. Click on thumbnail to buy

There are about 74,000 of them

They are known for their deep dives.

They eat a very specialized diet, which includes only 1-2 species of squid, cod and halibut.

This, along with their cold-water habitat, makes them very vulnerable to climate change.

Their predators are killer whales, polar bears, and Inuit People, who are allowed to hunt them for local consumption.

Custom Search

Return to Top

Return to Types of Whales and Dolphins

Return Home to Whale Facts and Dolphin Facts from Narwhal Whales

What's New

Whale News!

About Us

About Using Content

You Are Secure!

[?] Subscribe To This Site

Narwhal Whales

Store