narwhal etymology

Etymology:

The word "narwhal" comes from the Old Norse word "nárhvalr," which is thought to be derived from the words "nár" (corpse) and "hvalr" (whale). The name refers to the narwhal's distinctive spiraled tusk, which resembles a corpse-pale horn.

Meaning:

A narwhal is a medium-sized toothed whale that is found in the Arctic Ocean. It is characterized by its single, long, spiraled tusk, which is actually a modified left canine tooth.

Origin:

The narwhal is a member of the Monodontidae family, which also includes the beluga whale. Narwhals evolved from an ancestor that was similar to the modern bowhead whale. Over time, the narwhal's tusk gradually elongated and became more spiraled. Scientists believe that the tusk may have originally evolved as a secondary sexual characteristic, used to attract mates. However, it now serves a variety of functions, including sensory detection, hunting, and social interactions.

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