Narwhal - a curious creature

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Curious Creatures, Wild Minds

The Narwhal

The narwhal certainly is a curious creature. It is sometimes called the unicorn of the sea. When I first read about the narwhal I thought this must be a 'made-up' creature. A few years ago I saw a narwhal tusk in a museum and I think at that moment I finally believed they were real. In this series of posts I have talked about the tapir and the gnu. Today I move into the marine environment to explore the narwhal.

Image source: WWF

Here are some facts about the curious narwhal:

• The name narwhal comes from the Old Norse words nar (corpse) and whal (whale). Narwhals were likely called “corpse whales" because of their pale, mottled coloring that made them look like drowned sailors!
• Narwhals are mammals and the calf feeds on milk from their mother
• The tusk is an enlarged spiral tooth
• Males can occasionally have two tusks and tusks grow up to 2.7 metres long
• Males and females have tusks
• They live in the Arctic waters off Canada, Greenland, Norway and Russia
• Narwhals eat fish (halibut), squid and shrimp
• The collective noun for a group of Narwhals is a blessing

Further reading:

WWF

Animal Fact Guide

National Geographic Kids

11 Facts about the Narwhal - video

Kpedia

There are lots of picture books and junior novels with narwhal characters. Here are a few you might find in a school or public library:

Publisher blurb Penguin Random House: Narwhal is a happy-go-lucky narwhal. Jelly is a no-nonsense jellyfish. The two might not have a lot in common, but they do both love waffles, parties and adventures. Join Narwhal and Jelly as they discover the whole wide ocean together. A wonderfully silly early graphic novel series with each volume featuring three stories. The series celebrates the value of positivity and creativity.

Publisher blurb Simon and Schuster: Growing up in the ocean, Kelp has always assumed that he was a narwhal like the rest of his family. Sure, he’s always been a little bit different—his tusk isn’t as long, he’s not as good of a swimmer, and he really doesn’t enjoy the cuisine. Then one night, an extra strong current sweeps Kelp to the surface, where he spots a mysterious creature that looks just like him! Kelp discovers that he and the creature are actually unicorns. The revelation leaves him torn: is he a land narwhal or a sea unicorn? But perhaps, if Kelp is clever, he may find a way to have the best of both worlds.

Publisher blurb Cottage Door Press: "What is that?" is one of our favourite questions from curious little minds! In this fun little lift-a-flap book, we explore fun facts about narwhals, an arctic whale with very distinctive features. Is that a horn, like a unicorn? No, it's actually a tooth! Learn all about these amazing mammals with fun illustrations and sturdy pages perfect for little hands. Join narwhals (and their animal friends) and learn about these arctic creatures. Perfectly sized for little hands and fingers to open and close the flaps. 6 chunky and sturdy flaps are extra strong so your little one can open and close again and again.

Kirkus Review: A tiny narwhal dreams of seeing the world beyond her fishbowl. The little white narwhal’s entire universe seems to be an endless circle: the red front door, potted plant, umbrella stand, piano, and back to the red front door. She wants to travel, but she is worried about obstacles. She can’t walk, is afraid of getting lost, and doesn’t want to get cold. The little white boy who lives outside the bowl sympathizes. His diverse group of friends and their accompanying animals—a penguin, a giraffe, and a bat—are eager to help. They come up with a plan to wheel her through the neighborhood in a little red wagon, and off they go. She is thrilled with everything she sees, especially travel posters that hint of an even wider world. 

Kirkus review: Teamwork helps a narwhal to participate in an underwater orchestra. All the other creatures of the sea can make music, but Wendell can’t seem to create the right resonance with his tusk. He is a bit jealous that the octopus can make a “pop, pop, pop” sound, the jellyfish go “wubba, wub, wub,” the blowfish can “whoosh,” the whale sings “tweedly dee,” and the clam claps. When they all get going, the din is discordant and noisy, prompting Wendell to tap his tusk to get everyone to be quiet. The jellyfish then suggest that Wendell be the conductor to their little orchestra, and all together they make a harmonious melody. … Preschoolers will enjoy repeating all the sounds as this aquatic symphony takes shape while they discover the names of some relatively unfamiliar sea creatures.

Publisher blurb Penguin Random House: This girl’s room is an amazing mess between the pies, the paints, and the giant rainbow splashed across the wall. She swears that she didn’t make the mess–in fact, it was probably a narwhal. They make pies all the time, don’t they? But when a real narwhal magically appears, the girl finds herself in a battle of wits with a creature who’s every bit as feisty and funny as she is. Can she convince this creature that a narwhal made the mess? Can the narwhal convince her that she knows nothing about narwhals? In the hilarity that ensues, girl and narwhal discover they were destined to be best friends.

Here are a couple of Non Fiction titles to explore: