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National Marine Conservation Areas of CanadaThis page has been archived.
Information identified as archived on the Web is for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It has not been altered or updated after the date of archiving. Web pages that are archived on the Web are not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards. As per the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada, you can request alternate formats on the "Contact Us" page. Canada’s National Marine Conservation Areas System PlanNarwhal (Monodon monoceros) © Parks Canada / Dorothea Kappler, 1995 Actually a tooth, the narwhal's spiral tusk pierces the upper lip and can be 3 m long at maturity. Normally only the male has a tusk, though there are a few instances of females having one as well. Narwhal like deep water and navigate through pack ice to the edge of the ice cap. They have been seen within 5° of the North Pole. The Scandinavians gave the species their common name, which means "corpse whale", referring to the drowned appearance of their skin, while their scientific name translates as "one-toothed animal that is like a unicorn". In Canada, narwhal are found in the Eastern Arctic, and occasionally venture as far south as northeastern Newfoundland. |
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