Sea Unicorn Bashny.Net

1.
Narwhal - a protected rare species, belonging to the family unit tunes filefish and because the small number in the Red Book of Russia. Habitat of marine animals - the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic.

Source: www.zoopicture.ru
ru.wikipedia.org





2.
The size of the adult males often reach 4 to 5 meters, with a mass of about one and a half tons. Females weigh slightly less. The head of the adult narwhal round bumpy forehead with a large dorsal fin is missing. Narwhals somewhat resemble belugas, however, compared with the last animals have few spotty skin and 2 upper teeth, one of which is growing, is transformed into a three-meter tusk weighing up to ten kilograms.



3.
Narwhal tusk, left curled in a spiral, tough enough, but it has a limit of flexibility and can be bent up to thirty centimeters. Previously, it is often passed off as a unicorn's horn, which has healing power. It was believed that if you throw a piece of narwhal horns in a glass of poisoned wine, it will change its color.



4.
At this time, there is a hypothesis that is very popular in academic circles prove that the narwhal horn covered with sensory endings, the animal need to measure water temperature, pressure, and other important parameters for the life aquatic environment.



5.
The basis of the diet of narwhals, which, incidentally, can hunt at depths of more than a kilometer, up cephalopods and bottom fish. Enemies of narwhals in nature may be called other residents of these areas - polar bears and killer whales.



6.
Hold narwhals singly or in small groups, usually from 6-10 heads, which consist of adult males or females of cubs; first formed a large cluster of several hundred and a thousand. In the herd, like beluga whales, narwhals very "talkative". Most often, they produce a sharp sound, reminiscent of the whistle; publish and moaning (or sighs), moo, clicks, squeaks, gurgles.
The peak of the mating in the spring. Pregnancy lasts 14-15 months, covers the full cycle of reproduction 2-3 years. Born 1, very rarely 2 cub. Sexual maturity in males occurs at a body length of 4 m, females - 3, 4 m, which corresponds to 4-7 years. Life expectancy in nature - up to 55 years; in captivity - up to 4 months. Cases of captive breeding are unknown.



7.
The greatest damage brought narwhal population is still the man to hunt them because of their tasty meat and horns, has been successfully used for the manufacture of a variety of crafts. At this time, the animals are protected by the state.



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