The Multifunctional Mystery of Narwhal Tusks: From Medieval Myth to Modern Science

 Long revered during the Middle Ages for its purported ability to purify water and cure ailments, the narwhal's (Monodon monoceros) spiraled tusk was once mistaken for a unicorn's horn—a misconception that fueled its legendary status. Despite centuries of fascination, the biological function of this extraordinary dental adaptation—a single elongated tooth reaching up to 3 meters (9 feet)—has remained enigmatic due to the species' elusive Arctic habitat.

Recent drone observations have unveiled surprising behavioral insights, documenting narwhals employing their tusks for:

• Foraging: Precisely manipulating and stunning prey

• Tool use: Exploring and interacting with objects

• Social behavior: Engaging in play and possible social learning

• Sexual selection: Displaying tusk length as a fitness indicator

"This footage transforms our understanding of tusk functionality," remarks University of Manitoba ecologist Dr. Cortney Watt, a decade-long narwhal researcher. "Their tool-like use for foraging and play challenges previous assumptions."

Evolutionary Paradox and Sensory Capabilities
While most females lack tusks—suggesting a role in sexual selection analogous to peacock tail displays—the tusk's complex neural architecture (discovered in prior studies) indicates sophisticated sensory functions. Florida Atlantic University's Dr. Greg O'Corry-Crowe explains: "The ritualistic 'tusking' behavior, where males cross tusks vertically, likely serves dual purposes in mate assessment and competition. But our footage reveals unprecedented non-social applications."

Behavioral Breakthroughs
The research team captured striking examples of tusk deployment:

1. Precision Hunting: Adult narwhals mirrored fish movements with tusk-tip precision, potentially stunning prey

2. Social Learning: Juveniles attempted to replicate hunting techniques of experienced adults

3. Play Behavior: Non-consumptive fish interactions suggest recreational or practice activity

Conservation Urgency
As climate change disproportionately warms the Arctic (4× faster than global averages), narwhals face existential threats from:

• Diminishing sea ice (critical for predator avoidance)

• Shifting prey distributions

• Increased orca predation

"Drones provide invaluable behavioral baselines to monitor climate impacts," emphasizes O'Corry-Crowe. "Understanding these adaptations is now critical for conservation."

This research redefines the narwhal tusk as a multifunctional organ—simultaneously a sensory tool, social signal, and ecological adaptation—while highlighting the urgent need to protect these iconic "sea unicorns" in a rapidly changing Arctic.

Reference:

Greg O'Corry-Crowe, Maha Ghazai, Mark GIllespie, Paul Galvin, Jason Harasimo, Luke Storrie and Cortney A. Watt (2025) Use of tusks by narwhals, Monodon monoceros, foraging, exploratory, and play behavior, Front, Materials Science, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2025.1518605.