The precise function of narwhal tusks has puzzled scientists for years—is it used to stab fish, to joust, or as a sensory organ? Here are the facts. The narwhal is known as the "unicorn of the ocean" and is famous for its incredible spiral tusks, if not for a silly cartoon song....
From a distance, the narwhal looks like a long horn on its head, hence the name narwhal. The "horn" of the narwhal is actually a giant tooth. Judging from its embryonic development, the narwhal has a total of 16 teeth. However, most of the teeth have degenerated and disappeared by the time of...