Carlton Sims Tony Girod Academy World Literature May 20, 2014 Narwhals are toothed whales that are primarily located in the arctic. The protruding tusk located in the front of the narwhal is often mistaken for a horn but, it is actually a canine tooth. Excluding the tusk both genders of narwhals can grow anywhere between 8-13 feet in length. The narwhal can also weigh up to almost 2 tons. Narwhals are mammals just like any other whale, but Narwhal's don't have dorsal fins on their back and their neck vertebrate is fused unlike most whales. Narwhals are an odd type of mammal as they are whales. Most whales don't have a protruding canine tooth. The narwhals taxonomy consists of: Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Mammalia, Order Cetacea, Family Monodontidae, Genus Monodon, and Species Monodon monoceros. Narwhals are mainly white, while on the back there are white, green and brown speckles all over the back. These speckles are for counter shading so it is camouflaged from a topside and bottom side view. Narwhals are primarily found in colder waters such as the Canadian Arctic and the Greenlandic waters. Narwhals have specific diets that varies from season to season. In the winter narwhals feed on animals and prey located on the ocean bottom. In the summer narwhals eat fish such as Arctic cod and halibut. Narwhals migrate from cold Arctic bays in the summer to open ocean waters located in the Arctic Ocean in the winter. Narwhals can dive up to 4,900 feet in the winter and are capable for holding their breath for up to 25 feet. Narwhals can live up to fifty years old. The main reason for their death is not natural. In the winter when the ice freezes over the water, it causes Narwhals to suffocate from lack of oxygen. Another... ... middle of paper ... ... it besides the unicorn, if it existed. The narwhal is an amazing animal needs to be conserved. There are many different companies that help conserve this species but they are still being hunted by Inuits for their ivory tusks. There isn't a lot to do to help because most people don't live in the arctic. Even if the tusk is removed a narwhal, the tusk is needed for narwhals to mate. It is used to show rivals that they are better for their mate. Sometimes females use their tusks but not as often as males do. You can donate to these conservation companies to help. Narwhal tusks are worth a lot today, but are highly illegal to own. One instance where a New Brunswick man smuggled narwhal tusks and was arrested. This man was fined $385,000 for doing so. Narwhals are really awesome animals and don't deserve to go extinct. Please protect the narwhals living in the Arctic.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that narwhals can live up to fifty years old. the main reason for their death is not natural.
- Explains that there are many myths about narwhals in legend and literature in art.
- Opines that the narwhal is an amazing animal and needs to be conserved. the tusk is used to show rivals that they are better for their mate.
- Explains that narwhals are toothed whales that are primarily located in the arctic. the protruding tusk is a canine tooth.
- Explains that narwhals move in herds called pods and communicate with clicks, squeals, and trills. they migrate seasonally and prefer different areas per season.
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- Narwhal Research Paperexplanatory essayNarwhals are a one of a kind creature. They live in the Arctic waters around Greenland, Canada, and Russia. Narwhals are one of the two living species in the Monodontidae family; the other animal is the Beluga whale. Narwhal males are distinguished by a long, straight, helical tusk, which is an elongated tooth on the upper left portion of their skull. Narwhals are best known for their tusks. They are the only known species of whale to have them. Their tusk is simply just a long and hollow tooth which always spirals counterclockwise. It can measure 2.5-2.7 m long which is 8-9 ft. Most male narwhals have only one tusk, but there have been some narwhals spotted with two. Usually only males develop a tusk, but it has been reported that females have been spotted with a tusk. Narwhals have no visible teeth in their mouths, so they have to swallow their food whole. Just the Beluga whale, narwhals lack a dorsal fin, but they do have a dorsal ridge. Mature narwhals tend to have a black and white spotted coloration along the dorsal region of their body. Older narwhals are almost completely white. Narwhal calves typically have a gray coloration. Males also grow much larger than females. Males can grow up to 5 m which is 16.1 feet and that doesn’t include their tusks. Females only grow up to 13 feet in
In this essay, the author
- Explains that narwhals are one of the two living species in the monodontidae family; the other animal is the beluga whale.
- Explains that narwhals have a nursing duration of at least 12 months. males are sexually mature by the ages 8-9 years and females around the age of 4-7 years.
402 wordsRead More - Marine Mammal: The Nawhal Monocerosexplanatory essayThe Narwhal, Monodon monoceros, is a social, specialized deep-water marine mammal characterized by a unique tooth growth protruding from the upper jaw. Narwhals lives along the coasts and rivers throughout the Arctic,characterized by icy ocean temperatures. Narwhals are usually found in groups of 15 to 20, but herds of several thousand have been seen in the Arctic waters since 1871. Regularly found eastwards from the Canadian Arctic to central Russia they have also been distributed throughout the Eurasian Arctic and in an especially high abundance around the oceans west of Cape Farewell on the east coast of Greenland in the summers and during the winter primarily in the Baffian Bay, and in the Canadian archipelago in the springtime (Reeves, Tracey). The Narwhal has two teeth, located in the upper jaw, however only the left tooth usually develops leaving the underdeveloped right tooth in males and typically both teeth in females vestigial (Das). The protruding tusk grows to about 3 meters forward in a counterclockwise spiral pattern (Drury). The distal end of the tusk appears polished, with the remainder commonly covered by a growth of algae. There is an outer layer of cement, an inner layer of dentine, and a pulp cavity that is rich in blood (Reeves, Tracey). The Narwhal’s head and body ranges from 3-6 meters, with the pectoral fin being around 30-40 cm, and the tail flukes expanding over one meter (Reeves, Tracey). The males are typically larger in size than the females averaging about 3,500 pounds in males and 1,000 in females (Drury). Their bodies begin as an uneven grayish hue and as they mature darken to a mottled bluish black color, darker above than below (Reeves, Tracey). Narwhals posses relatively small heads, a blunt sno...
In this essay, the author
- Describes the narwhal, monodon monoceros, as a social, specialized deep-water marine mammal characterized by tooth growth protruding from the upper jaw.
- Explains that narwhals belong in the phylum chordata and are closely related to the beluga whale. they share characteristics such as body color, body size, and lack a dorsal fin.
- Explains that the male monodon monoceros have a unique adaptation, its unique elongated tooth. the tusk may be utilized for hunting or spearing prey.
- Describes the tardigrade as a diverse group of over 1000 species of free-living, cosmopolitan invertebrates belonging to the phylum tardigrada.
- Explains that water bears are observed in almost every type of habitat around the world, from tropical forests to the freezing arctic ocean.
- Explains that tardigrades are bilaterally symmetrical animals with an established head and a short body composed of four fused segments bearing four pairs of padded or clawed legs.
- Explains that tardigrada is a lesser known phylum of invertebrate animals. the first tardigrades were discovered by goetz in 1773.
- Explains that tardigrades have the ability to go into cryptobiosis, a state of suspended animation, in order to survive fluctuating conditions in their environment.
- Cites lindahl, karen, and susie balser. tardigrade facts. illinois wesleyan university, 2 oct. 1999.
1101 wordsRead More - Humpback Whale Songsexplanatory essayThe Humpback whale (Latin Megaptera novaeangliae) is a mammal, which belongs to the rorqual family.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the humpback whale (latin megaptera novaeangliae) belongs to the rorqual family.
- Explains that older humpback whales can have a lot of barnacles on their bodies. once an adult barnacule has settled down, it cannot change its position.
- Explains that whaling is one of the biggest problems for the humpback whale population. whaling became popular in the 17th century, leading to a dramatic decrease.
- Explains that whale meat is illegally tracked down. it is an open secret.
- Explains that the humpback whale has one of the biggest whale flippers on planet earth. they eat fish, krills, smaller crabs and octopuses.
- Explains the difference between fish and whales. whales and dolphins are related to each other biologically.
- Explains the importance of whale songs for the behaviour of humpback whales.
- Explains that the singing of each humpback whale is unique and not alike. it can even have an accent, and is one of the loudest noises in the animal world.
- Explains that since 1966 it is forbidden to hunt down whales, except for the traditional whaling in the caribbean island begonia.
1036 wordsRead More - White Shark Hypothesiscomparative essayThe Great White Shark or Animalia Chordata Vertebrata Chrondrichthyes Elasmobranchii Lamniformes Lamnidae Carchardon C. carcharias is a marine predator. Carolus Linnaeus gave the shark it's first scientific name, Squalus carcharias in 1758. Later it was given its current name Carchardon C. carcharias by Sir Andrew Smith. Carchardon comes from the word karcharos which means sharp or jagged in Greek and odous which means tooth.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the great white shark or animalia chordata vertebrata chrondrichthyes elasmobranchii lamniformes is a marine predator. carolus linnaeus gave the shark its first scientific name, squalus carcharias in 1758.
- Explains that great white sharks are found in the open ocean at depths down to 3,900 feet. they migrate from south africa to australia in 9 months.
- Explains that great white sharks are carnivores and prey upon fish, cetaceans, sea turtles, and seabirds. juveniles begin to target marine mammals for their primary food when they reach around 13ft.
- Explains that the great white shark is known as an apex predator meaning it has no natural predators other than the orca.
- States that the great white shark is protected in australia, south africa, namibia, israel, malta and the usa.
- Explains that great white sharks have a long, torpedo-like body, conical snout, light grey dorsal fins, anal, pectoral and rete mirabile.
- Concludes that great white sharks are not mindless killers. they prefer blubbery and fatty creatures like sea lions and seals, and they need to be respected.
802 wordsRead More - Arctic Wolf Research Paperopinion essayArctic Wolves scientific name is the Canis lupus arctos. They are found in the arctic circle which includes the countries Alaska, Northern Canada, Iceland and Greenland. The Arctic wolf is carnivorous and eats lemmings, Arctic hares, Arctic foxes, musk oxen and caribou. The mother usually gives birth to 2-3 pups per year, and they usually live for 7-10 years. They’re 70-80 of them left.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the arctic wolf needs to be saved before it becomes extinct forever.
- Explains the scientific name of the arctic wolf, canis lupus arctos, which is found in alaska, northern canada, iceland, and greenland. the mother gives birth to 2-3 pups per year.
- Explains that arctic wolves measure from three to six feet, and their shoulder height is 25-31. males are larger than females.
- Explains that the arctic wolf is endangered because of its fine pelt, which is wanted by many hunters, and their predator, the polar bear.
- Concludes that pollution, hunters, and predators are the reason that the arctic wolf is endangered.
305 wordsRead More - Nurse Shark Research Paperexplanatory essaysize than that of a nurse shark. The characteristics’ of a whale shark to a nurse shark are similar, both are slow-sluggish moving, filter feeders, both are known for being the “gentle” species of sharks, and they both have a remotely
In this essay, the author
- Explains that nurse sharks do not have a set predator that routinely feeds off of them.
- Explains that a whale shark is closely related to the nurse shark. both are slow-sluggish moving, filter feeders, and have close mouths.
- Explains that the nurse shark population in the eat cost is listed as "critically endangered" and the human relationship with them is still undergoing development.
- Explains that nurse sharks are found in tropical to subtropical waters. they are nocturnal hunters and rest throughout the day.
- Explains that nurse sharks do not require a large amount of eating to maintain their low energy level. they eat fish, mollusks, and crustaceans.
- Explains that female nurse sharks are known as viviparous, meaning that eggs develop within the uterus of a female shark until the birth of the offspring.
- Explains that the nurse shark has two obvious behaviors that are of easy study; a social behavior and numbaround reefs.
1175 wordsRead More - Gray Whales Are Magnificent Animalsexplanatory essayThe female is a little larger than the male. The female can reach up to 50 feet in length and can have a calf every 2-3 years. These whales have two blow holes side-to-side on top of their head. The diet of the Gray whale consists of crustaceans called amphipods, plankton, tube worms, they find there food on the ocean floor. They dive to the bottom, roll on their side and suck in the sediment. Gray whales don’t have teeth they have baleen plates which they use to eat and helps to filter the water out. These whales have between 130-180 pairs of baleen plates and are about ten inches long. They mostly feed during the summer time in Alaska during the months of May and September. Some feeding also takes place during the migration but rarely during breeding. They are called the devilfish because of how the defend themselves and their calves. Gray whales don’t sing like other whales they Make gurgles and warbling sounds. The lifespan of a Gray whale is more than 40 years.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the gray whale belongs to the order cetacea and the mammal class. it is one of the great migraters and may travel in groups called pods.
- Explains that in the cetacea order they are warm-blooded, breath air and give birth to live young. they were once living on land and adapted to living in water.
- Explains that the gray whale was once hunted almost to extinction, but their numbers have increased thanks to laws that protect them from people that hunt them.
- Explains that gray whales are medium-sized, with two blow holes side-to-side on top of their head. they eat amphipods, plankton, tube worms and filter the water.
- Explains that gray whales reach sexual maturity at 5-11 years of age and mate during the winter or early spring. the calves are born in winter and are independent of the mother.
518 wordsRead More - Bottlenose Dolphin Research Paperexplanatory essayThe Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) is one of the three species composing the genus Tursiops with the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and the recently discovered (2011) Burrunan dolphin (Tursiops autralis). T. aduncus was recognized as a different species in 1998. Before that, it was thought to be only one bottlenose species (T. truncatus) with great variation in morphology and behaviour. Tursiops are well-known and famous members of the Delphinidae family. They inhabit warm and temperate waters. Tursiops aduncus is mostly found in the Indian and Pacific oceans. (See map here : http://maps.iucnredlist.org/map.html?id=41714)
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the indo-pacific bottlenose dolphin (tursiops aduncus) is one of the three species composing the genus — it was recognized as a different species in 1998.
- Explains that dolphins suffer from water pollution and incidental bycatch but also from noise pollution (boat sonars, military explosion underwater...). the rapid growth of specialized tourism also a noxious impact on their behavior.
- Describes kate sprogis as a phd student at mucru (murdoch university cetacean research units). she collects long-term datas to further investigate abundance, population dynamics, social structure and habitat use of indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins in bunbury, south west australia.
- Explains that the bottlenose dolphin is the most common cetacean species found in captivity around the world.
- Describes the indo-pacific bottlenose dolphin's life history, reproduction, gestation time, number of offspring, and age of sexual maturity.
- Explains that ecological characteristics contribute to sponge distribution and tool use in bottlenose dolphins tursiops sp.
841 wordsRead More - Research Paper On Snapterus Leucasexplanatory essayDelphinapterus Leucas, also known as Beluga Whales, are white whales that live in arctic waters. They are friendly whales that enjoy vocalizing or making noises. These noises are used to communicate, and use them for echolocation. Beluga Whales do not posses vocal chords and are suspected of using the air between nasal sacs in the blowhole region. They have small but distinct beaks.
In this essay, the author
- Describes delphinapterus leucas, also known as beluga whales. they are friendly whales that enjoy vocalizing or making noises to communicate and use them for echolocation.
63 wordsRead More - The Pavorders Of Whalesexplanatory essayWhale is the common name for a widely distributed and diverse group of fully aquatic placental marine mammals. They are an informal grouping within the infraorder Cetacea, usually excluding dolphins and porpoises. Whales, dolphins and porpoises belong to the order Cetartiodactyla with even-toed ungulates and their closest living relatives are the hippopotamuses, having diverged about 40 million years ago. The two parvorders of whales, baleen whales (Mysticeti) and toothed whales (Odontoceti), are thought to have split apart around 34 million years ago. The whales comprise eight extant families: Balaenopteridae (the rorquals), Balaenidae (right whales), Cetotheriidae (the pygmy right whale), Eschrichtiidae (the gray whale), Monodontidae (belugas
In this essay, the author
- Explains that whales are an informal grouping within the infraorder cetacea, usually excluding dolphins and porpoises.
123 wordsRead More