The narwhal's washed up horn found on beaches were thought to have given rise to the myth of unicorns.

Subspecies
None.

Life span
Unknown.

Statistics
Body length: 3.8-5m, Weight: 0.8-1.6 tonnes.

Physical description
Narwhals are mottled white with a darker melon and a dark stripe down their backs. Their most striking feature is a tusk in males, which is actually an overgrown tooth, and can be up to 2.5m in length. They have up-curled flippers.

Distribution
They are found around Baffin Island and Arctic ice-edge.

Diet
Narwhals feed on fish, shrimps and squid.

Behaviour
They live in groups of 1-25, but migrate in hundreds or even thousands.

Conservation status
Narwhals are classified as Data Deficient by the 2000 Red List. They have been hunted for their tusks which are used for jewellery, as well as for their blubber and oil. They have an estimated population of 25,000-45,000.