Common Name: Narwhal
Scientific Name: Monodon monoceros
Conservation Status: Near Threatened
The narwhal is a species of whale known for
the extremely long, tusk-like protrusion growing from its head. But did
you know this “horn” is actually a really long canine tooth?
In centuries past, this whale was an
extremely important animal because of unicorn myths and legends. A long,
loooooong time ago, when the unicorn myth first came about, unicorns
were described as having a horn like that of a rhinoceros. But
descriptions of unicorns slowly changed when explorers kept bringing
back the strange-looking narwhal tusks. When
people began believing the tusks came from unicorns, the tusks became
worth lots of money. Queen Elizabeth even spent 10,000 pounds for one
back in the 16th century (it was believed that a goblet made from
unicorn horn would protect anyone from poison slipped into a drink).
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