Narwhals: The Northern Wonder Trivia Quiz

Answer: Monodon monoceros

The binomial name of the narwhal has been derived from its genus (Monodon) and species (M. monoceros). The binomial name means 'one tooth, one horn', an accurate representation of the narwhal due to the fact that it has one tooth (or horn) that is shaped like that of a unicorn tusk.

Answer: Yes

The body of the narwhal is normally speckled with a pale brown colour. As narwhals mature, their skin becomes a bluish-grey colour and their spots often turn white.

Answer: Corpse whale

The term 'corpse whale' has been used to describe the narwhal from early history to the present because of the unique greying colour associated with the narwhal's skin. These colours are normally used to describe animals that are sick, dying, or decomposing and as such, they are an excellent representation of term 'corpse whale'.

Answer: They can be found in all of these locations

The narwhal prefer temperatures that are quite frigid. As a result, the narwhal can be found in the cold waters of the Canadian and Russian Arctic, northern and coastal regions of Greenland, northern Scandinavia, and around the Canadian locations of Davis Strait and Baffin Bay. They have also been found in the deep waters of Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, and Foxe Basin.

Answer: Beluga Whale

The beluga whale, due to its close relationship to the narwhal, has often been included in the Monodontidae family. Some marine biologists have placed the beluga whale in a different genus and believe the narwhal is in a genus of its own. Other than the beluga whale, the only other marine species that may be related to the narwhal is the Irrawaddy Dolphin.

Answer: muktuk

Narwhal skin is considered a delicacy by the Inuit people of Northern Canada. Narwhals are often skinned, and the skin eaten raw with a layer of fat on top. The taste of the skin has often been compared to that of walnuts or hazelnuts.

Answer: All of these

As of 2004, little was known scientifically about the tusk of the narwhal. The goal of this proposed project was to "define and describe the purpose and function of the tusk of the narwhal".

The function of the narwhal tusk has often been the subject of debate between scientists. Some believe that it used for piercing ice caps that cover a narwhal's winter habitat. Others believe that the tusk is used for echolocation. More recent scientific studies have shown that the tusk is primarily used in courtship.

The tusk has a unique twisting shape, often resembling traditional pictures of a unicorn horn. Prior to the 19th Century, the narwhal was seen as an legend like that of the unicorn as travel to Northern regions of the world was nearly impossible.

One last unique feature of the narwhal is that its tusk does not grow back when it breaks off. The narwhal tusk is strong and comparable to an elephant tusk (which also does not grow back if it breaks off).

Answer: The rich land and sea animals that are a part of the heritage of the Nunavut people

On the Nunavut Coat of Arms, the North Star represents navigation and leadership among the native peoples of Nunavut. The Inukshuk (or stone monument), represents the warmth of the family and community. The Iglu (Igloo) represents the lifestyle and means for survival of the native peoples.

Answer: monitoring the stocks of the narwhal

The Joint Commission on Conservation and Management of Narwhal and Beluga is responsible for monitoring the stocks of shared narwhal between Canada and Greenland. Various other national agencies are responsible for the management and conservation of the narwhal.

The JCNB, along with NAMMCO (North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission) has expressed extreme concern over the narwhal and has encouraged the Canadian government to place the narwhal under 'special status'.

Answer: False

In fact, this is the complete opposite. During the winter, as the ice freezes, they migrate towards densely packed-ice caps away from the coast. Within these ice caps are holes called "leads". The narwhal survive in these leads until the weather warms up when they migrate back to the coastal bays and various water channels.