Narwhals
Introduction
Narwhals, the unicorns of the sea, are very mysterious creatures that are not widely known. They are whales with many fascinating features and historical value. This research paper is answering the question, “What are Narwhals?”.
General Description
Monodon Monoceros, Latin for “one tooth, one horn”#; or Narhval, Norwegian for “corpse whale” , because of it mottled coloration suggests a bloated corpse#.Narwhals are in the white whale family, along with the beluga, but are actually covered with spots of black, white, gray-green, and cream. Newborns are dappled gray-brown, white spots come with age#. At birth the calves are about 5 feet long and 180 pounds. Male Narwhals can reach 16 feet long, not including the horn which is 8 to 9 feet long, and weigh around 3000 pounds. Females are around 13 ft. long, do not have tusks, and weight around 2000 pounds. Adult males and females are usually dark in the area of the head, especially top of the head and upper and lower jaws#. Unlike most other whales, Narwhals have no dorsal fin, instead they have a low bumpy ridge that begins at about the midpoint of the back and continues to the fluke#.
Tusks
The tusks, giving Narwhals the name “ Sea Unicorn”, is actually a tooth that can reach up to nine feet long and can weigh up to 20 pounds. Males and females are born with two teeth pointing forward in the upper jaw#. The left tooth of the male grows long and spirals counter clockwise toward the tip. On rare occasions there have been Narwhals with twin tusks. Research on Narwhals supports the idea that the tusk is both a weapon and a symbol of dominance in ritual displays#. Some other ideas about what the tusk is used for include the following: ice breaker or and instrument to poke breathing holes in ice#; rake to stir up the sea bottom for food#; skewer to impale prey species#. One hundred out of three hundred and four males tusks are broken, this might be a result of fighting#. Narwhal tusk can heal itself. Newman, a whale expert, suggests,“If the tusk breaks, it is possible that infection is avoided because of dentine deposits which fill the broken end. This reparative function could explain descriptions by old whalers of Narwhals with broken tusks exhibiting a ‘plug’ in the broken end”# .Tusks sold for $1.25 a pound in 1962, in 1974 it went up to $25 a pound, and in 1976 it was $35#.
In this essay, the author
- Explains narwhals, the unicorns of the sea, are mysterious creatures with many fascinating features and historical value.
- Explains that the tusk, giving narwhals the name " sea unicorn", is actually a tooth that can reach up to nine feet long and can weigh 20 pounds.
- Explains that narwhals are migratory whales of the arctic sea. they inhabit bays and inlets in the warmer months, moving south into deeper water when the ice begins to form.
- Explains that narwhals can defend themselves with their tusks from killer whales, greenland shark, cyamus monodontis and humans.
Related
- explanatory
- opinion
- analytical
- Narwhal Essayexplanatory essayNarwhals 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.
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.
906 wordsRead More - Whales Essayopinion essayWhales are some of the ocean’s most fascinating amphibious beings. They possess highly acquired communication skills and are believed to have an intelligence level equal to, and in some species, surpass that of the human brain. The biological, anthropological, and marine educational communities have studied the whale in a way that sheds light onto the studies of evolution as well. Yet, there are industries that subject these animals to captivity, hindering the natural development of these animals. Of all the communities contributing to the protection and study of the whale, there is one tipping the scale towards exploiting it for profit: The entertainment industry.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that whales possess highly acquired communication skills and an intelligence level equal to, and in some species, surpass that of the human brain. however, there are industries that subject these animals to captivity.
- Explains that seaworld has created a public image to the american general public that they treasure the protection of amphibious mammals like seals, otters and above all else, whales.
- Opines that seaworld is a deterrent to the whale's natural development. the whales' longevity is shorter in captivity, they are affected psychologically, and their business model must be changed.
- Explains that seaworld minimizes the lively hood of the whale as irrelevant or falsities. the company's public image is to prevent the practice of whaling, creating a scapegoat.
- Explains that since the release of cnn documentary blackfish, much has been said about the life expectancy statistics informed to the general public by seaworld parks.
- Explains that the average mortality rates for captive whales are three times higher than in the wild. based on 14 years of american and canadian research, olesiuk et al.
- Analyzes how seaworld leans on corky ii, kiska, and lolita's long lifespans for information, while also claiming a longer life in captivity due to prevention of danger. the average age at the time of death for thirteen deceased whales was under 17.
- Opines that seaworld's care of the whale is a worthy and implied aspect of their business.
- Describes how animal and plant health inspection service (aphis) inspected seaworld orlando's park and facilities. they found various circumstances that could "potentially put the animals' health and lives at risk."
- Describes how painted concrete and paint chips fell into dolphin and whale nursery pools due to their adjacency to roller coasters and aging overhead beams.
- Explains the merck veterinary manual's definition of bacterial pneumonia in marine mammals. seaworld of orlando posed inadequate management of their living conditions for their animals.
- Explains seaworld can take all necessary steps for simulating their natural habitats, but captivity shortens life spans through added risk and factors unseen in the wild.
- Explains that seaworld's orca population is subject to psychological side effects that affect them physically in some cases. blackfish brought to light the causes of trainer fatality and injury as a result of stress in whales.
- Explains that aphis legally requires 48 foot horizontal dimensions and a minimum depth of 12 feet, giving the minimum volume of 615 m, but does not support the fact that whales are in need of natural habitat to avoid causes like dorsal fin collapse.
- Explains that seaworld's locations in orlando, san antonio, and san diego, dry, tropical, desert-like climates, can attribute to the causes of dehydration which are susceptible by all orcas.
- Explains that research by dr. hope ferdowsian and others has shown behavioral patters similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd) and depression in captive primates and elephants within circus rings.
- Opines that human trafficking and prostitution practices are looked down upon as means for exploiting one’s bodies in favor of making profit for a higher figure. seaworld prohibits whaling, yet uses this scapegoat to divert attention from their evolved
- Explains seaworld strongly claims that they do not separate mothers and calves under any circumstances in response to blackfish’s claims even after convincing video evidence.
- Narrates how kohan was taken from her mother kasatka and sent to orlando. eighteen months later, she was on her way to the canary islands. skyla was born in orlando to kalina and tilikum, but at just two years of age was dispatched to spain.
- Explains that tilikum has been in the seaworld farm system since the age of two. he is responsible for three deaths and 21 calves, 11 of which are still alive.
- Opines that seaworld will refuse to put down a whale because they are worth millions of dollars in profit and potential sale to other international parks.
- Explains that seaworld executives can sleep at night thinking that they are making the marine world a better, more educated place. but they blindly accept the moral dilemma the growing majority of people see as tainted business model.
- Opines that seaworld must rethink locations in which they are able to purchase a greater number of acres to improve living conditions.
- Argues that seaworld should provide a more aquarium-like atmosphere fit with natural habitual traits while ceasing performance shows and public training of the animals.
- Explains that seaworld faces the biggest dilemma with regards to breeding practices. ceasing the reproduction of whales with violent histories is the first step. releasing them back into the wild revitalizes their well-being.
- Argues that an ethically sound business model will be sufficient for organizations like orca, aphis, and other animal rights associations. seaworld can become a company focused more on the revitalization and study of the whale, rather than exploiting it for entertainment value.
- Opines that seaworld would be willing to change its business model for the betterment of the whale by adopting legislation to improve regulatory safety of employees, facilities, and wildlife.
- Opines that animal rights will become more of a noteworthy issue in legislation in the coming years. seaworld will have to change its ways of continued exploitation and veer towards progression.
2057 wordsRead More - A Brief History of Whalingexplanatory essayWhile you could argue that practically everyone who has gone through the American education system has at least heard of Moby Dick, the whaling industry, a main element of the epic, is not so well known. In order to fully understand and appreciate this great work, it is in my opinion, important to have somewhat of an understanding of the industry which it is centered around. This is especially true because whaling was such a prominent, and important aspect of 19th century culture and although far less popular, still exists today. Throughout this essay I will give a brief history of whaling, discuss why it was such an important industry in the 19th century, talk about whaling in modern times, and lastly, tie it in to the novel.
In this essay, the author
- Describes how the basques began to earn more and develop a more profitable market for the whaling industry. the dutch followed in the footsteps of the english.
- Explains that the first sperm whale was caught in 1712, sparking a new type of whaling. their blubber was boiled into oil and used for candles, lighting, and lubrication.
- Explains that merchant ships were primarily used for whaling purposes throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. they were double hulled with beams reinforcing them to protect against razor sharp ice.
- Explains that catching whales was done by hand. harpoons were thrown from double ended boats, while the arctic boats were stronger with frames made of oak and fir planks.
- Explains how sven foyn created a harpoon which contained explosives in the head, which was designed to inject the whale with compressed air, making it safer to catch monolithic blue whales.
- Explains that the u.s. fleet, which once consisted of over 1700 whaling vessels, began to rapidly diminish. the british fleets in the arctic region became desperate as the numbers of whales began dwindling.
- Explains that whalers discovered the last rich whaling locations in the world in 1904 on the island of south georgia.
- Explains that after the decline of the market for whale oil, commercial whaling in modern times is usually for food or scientific purposes. after the end of world war ii, 17 nations formed the international whaling commission.
- Argues that the whaling industry, a main element of moby dick's epic, is not well-known.
2287 wordsRead More - Analysis Of Shammu Ed: The Plight Of Captive Whalesexplanatory essayIn order to protect their calves, the male killer whales swim an opposite direction to distract the fishermen while the mothers and their young swim an opposite direction in hopes of escaping. The fishermen are typically already aware of this tactic and can get to the calves without a problem. In order to keep the whales alive, a special ointment is placed on to the whales to keep their skin wet. Soon after the whales are taken out of the water and placed on a fishing boat, they are taken to a nearby dock to be weighed and measured. SeaLand will not accept any whales that are unhealthy or weak(Killer Whales
In this essay, the author
- Narrates shammu'ed: the plight of captive whales, where young calves were taken from their mothers inside the pens using speedboats and nets.
- Explains that there are fifty-seven whales living in captivity, including thirty-four adult and twenty-two born into the wild. whales are left in distress when a member of their pod is missing or taken.
- Explains that the male and female killer whales can grow to be ninety-years-old and weigh up to eight tons. the females give birth between the ages of three to ten.
- Explains that whales live in cooler areas such as the pacific northwest, norway’s coast, and the higher altitudes of the southern ocean. killer whales travel together in pods similar to a family.
- Explains that whales have been captured by fishermen for various reasons, beginning in the 1950’s japan began hunting for their meat and other countries such as norway, and iceland began capturing them too.
- Describes how sealand created a small park with docks over the pools where the whales lived. they hired fishermen to capture them and bring them to the park for amusement.
- Explains that the whales have a mutual plan to protect their calves. they swim an opposite direction to distract the fishermen while the mothers and their young swim in opposite directions in hopes of escaping.
- Explains that killer whales surround fishermen when they are taking the calves out of the water. they scream their sound in hopes of their member will return, but soon realize their babies won't be returning.
- Explains that seaworld opened its doors to over 400,000 customers in 1964 and the whales were transferred to their new home again.
- Explains that whales separated from their families are forced to create a new home for themselves in small amounts of water.
- Explains that killer whales live in seaworld parks and forcibly work with the trainers to perform tricks. they are upset and angry and do not eat for the day. since 1964, there have been over seven hundred recorded attacks.
- Explains that seaworld became known for their animal performances, similar to a circus, where killer whales were forced to train everyday and work with the trainers.
- Explains that the small proximities at seaworld are only one percent of what killer whales are used to when living in the wild.
- Explains that the killer whales living in the seaworld parks suffer sunburns of all types throughout the year. the trainers apply black zinc to their skin to heal the burns.
- Describes raking as an aggressive behavior that occurs when one whale scrapes his or her teeth against the body of another whale in hopes of harming them.
1744 wordsRead More - Killer Whale Essayexplanatory essayTheir dorsal fin is extremely long, tampered and pointed in a triangular shape or rounded and curved towards the end. The skull is oval shaped and the beak is extremely short and rounded at the end. The killer whale’s jaw is powerful with teeth that are able to tear apart flesh of their prey. They can withstand the jolting, wiggling and hurtling movements of prey that are trying to escape. The killer whale is born with a single blow hole instead of two. Their flippers are paddle shaped with rounded ends and flukes are tapered back and pointed at the end resembling to a triangle/pyramid
In this essay, the author
- Explains charles darwin's theory of biological evolution, which states that all species of organism arise and develop through natural selection.
- Explains that the killer whale is a part of the toothed whale suborder, consisting exclusively of porpoises, whales and dolphins that are born with teeth, instead of baleen plates.
- Explains that animalia is characterised by eukaryotic and heterotrophic organisms, multicellular, growth pattern, habitat is mostly oceanic, organ system, etc.
- Explains the phylum of chordata, which includes organisms that have supporting skeleton of bone or cartilage inside their body.
- Explains that mammalia are warm-blooded vertebrates that nourish their young with milk and have less hair than other organisms.
- Explains the cetacean order, which has no hind limbs and a blowhole for breathing, consisted of toothed whales.
- Explains that the diagram shows the ecology of the killer whale and the hierarchal system.
- Explains that the killer whale is distributed throughout the world, but are most abundant in coastal waters.
- Explains that the killer whale population is around 50,000 left, but the southern resident killer whale population globally is 78 left. the orca is critically endangered in the wild.
- Explains that king or chinook salmon obtains 80% of the killer whale's diet.
- Explains that toxic waste dumps, industrial and human pollutant in the ocean have caused serious threats to the killer whale population.
- Explains that ocean noise and increasing vessel traffic blocks the ability for killer whales to communicate, forage, and use echolocation. without these adaptations, orcas are in critical danger of extinction.
- Explains that the killer whale's diet consists of small aquatic life forms, such as squid, fish and octopuses, as well as larger marine animals.
- Explains the physical appearance of the killer whale, which includes black backs, white chest and sides, and white circles above and behind the eyes.
- Explains that urban growth, deforestation, and pollution have put a strain on salmon. genetically modified fish escape and interbreed with salmon, creating new genetic characteristic.
- Explains that the waters where killer whales migrate are extremely busy due to commercial shipping, fisheries and whale watching. the surface and breathing is a critical aspect of their function.
- Opines that conservation techniques can improve the future of the population of orca’s. if the threats continue, the southern resident orcas will become extinct in the near future.
1032 wordsRead More - Killer Whales Should Not Be Kept in Captivityanalytical essayThe first whale to ever be captured was Moby Doll. The capture of Moby Doll was an accident; the purpose of getting this whale was so a sculptor named Samuel Burich could make a life size model for the British Columbia Hall Aquarium. Moby Doll was shot numerous times, but would not die. Since the whale would not die they decided to keep the whale and put it on display. There was little information on how to take care of the whale. Moby Doll did not eat for fifty-five days while being held captive. They were giving the whale the wrong food and when they finally figured it out the whale killed itself a month later. “Stories of Killer Captive Whales”.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the drive method is used to capture whales by luring them into shallow water and containing them in nets. the largest capture of orcas took place on august 8th, 1970, by griffin and goldsberry.
- Opines that lolita is the loneliest whale in captivity as she has been alone for over thirty years. she was sold to the miami seaquarium shortly after her capture.
- Explains that tilikum is an orca that is a result of being stressed from captivity. he is 12,000 pounds and measures 22.5 feet long.
- Narrates how keiko was reintroduced to live fish and sea water while being in his rehabilitation facility. after a year in the wild, his staff noticed he communicated with the other whales.
- Explains that captive whales make research easier, and they are huge money makers for sea parks and aquariums. sea world contributes money to conservation and marine life worldwide.
- Analyzes how gabrielle cowperthwaite and john jett, a trainer who worked at seaworld, decided to show the world how it really is to be part of this awful community.
- Analyzes batt, elizabeth, "time running out for lonely orca lolita at miami seaquarium." digital journal, 27 june 2013.
- Explains that orca whales are the largest members of the dolphin family. they live in pods and sleep together in a tight circle.
- Explains that orcas live to fifty to eighty years in the wild, while being held captive most do not live past twenty-five years.
- Explains that tilikum is one of the major breeders at sea world and shares a pin with his daughter malia. keiko was captured in 1979 and sold to the icelandic aquarium.
- Analyzes how tilikum was a huge topic of the documentary black fish. the trainers in the film were heartbroken to lose dawn brancheau.
- Narrates pbs' "stories of captiv killer whales" and "save the whale - captivity."
2009 wordsRead More - Killer Whale in Captivityanalytical essayOrcas, or killer whales are majestic giants of the sea. They are actually the largest type of dolphin. They have long black bodies with distinct white patches near their eyes. A killer whale can be up to 32 feet or more in length, and weigh up to 12,000 pounds. Females are a bit smaller, but live longer (Gorman). The name “killer whale” apparently came not because it is a vicious whale, but because it preys on whales. They do not have any natural predators, and they are considered the “top dog” of the ocean. Not even the great white shark stands a chance against these superb killers. “Unlike sharks, killer whales are cautious hunters, sometimes spending hours harassing a 1,000-pound sea lion so it can easily be drowned” (Francis). Orcas use many hunting tactics that are unique to their species, which is what makes them invincible.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that orcas were first captured and put on public display in the 1960s, sparked a chain reaction of the desire for the large toothed whales.
- Explains that marine parks use artificial insemination to keep their shows profitable and afloat, and that the new breeding program is just as bad as capturing wild orcas.
- Quotes francis, david r., "communities of killer whales." the christian science monitor.
- Explains that captivity is the state or period of being imprisoned, confined, or enslave. seaworld estimates about 70% of their total revenue is due to their performing killer whales.
- Analyzes how marine park representatives feed lies to the general populace by saying that orcas live longer in marine parks because of all the veterinary care they receive.
- Explains gorman, james, jeffs, paul n., kirby, david, rose, naomi, and smith, gary.
1977 wordsRead More - Killer Whales - The Orcasexplanatory essayOrcinus orca is the scientific name for the massive marine mammal. Orcas are not rare, but have declining numbers in some areas (Martin.) Orcas are found from the Artic Ocean to the Antartic Ocean. (Britannica) They belong to the Delphinidae, or dolphin family, which is the largest of their species. Female orcas grow to be at the most 15 feet, and weigh up to 4 tons, but the males can grow as large as 20-30 feet, and weight up to 8 tons. (Martin) The color of the orca is white in some spots, black on the majority of the body, and gray just behind the dorsal fin. It is white on the chin, belly and the eye. The white patch above the eye is usually mistaken for the eye, and may confuse their prey, but acts as a camouflage for the eye. The name “killer whale” makes people tend to believe that this is a viscious man-eating mammal, yet it is one of the most shrewd, docile and playful species of the marine mammals. The orca is sexually mature at 10-15 years of age, much like humans, which is 12-13 years of age. They tend to mate year round, and is able to have a calf every two years. It is interesting to know that lactation of the mother lasts 12 or more months (Wynne.) The life expectancy of orcas is 45-50 years of age.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that killer whales are fascinating displays of ocean life. they have a plentiful diet, and their behavior in the ocean is astounding.
- Explains that orcinus orca is the scientific name for the massive marine mammal. they are not rare, but have declining numbers in some areas.
- Explains the distinctive features of the orca, such as the dorsal fin, the pectoral, and the conical teeth.
- Explains that orcas eat fish and squid, but will devour almost any marine animal in site. the behavior of the orca is remarkable.
1109 wordsRead More - Killer Whales Essayexplanatory essayKiller whales are known for their distinctive black-and-white coloring and are the intelligent, trainable stars of many aquarium shows. Killer whales have never been extensively hunted by humans. They can weigh up to 6 tons (5,443 kg) and grow to be 23 to 32 ft (7 to 9.7 m). An average Killer whales are about the size of a bus. Their teeth that can be four inches long (National Geographic).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the killer whale is a carnivore and hunts in deadly pods of up to 40 individuals.
- Explains that killer whales are known for their distinctive black-and-white coloring and are intelligent, trainable stars of aquarium shows. they weigh up to 6 tons (5,443 kg) and grow to be 23 to 32 ft (7 to 9.7 m).
- Explains that killer whales are protective of their young, and other females often assist the mother in caring for them. mothers give birth every three to ten years after a 17-month pregnancy.
- Explains that killer whales have been killed by worldwide on whale operations. there is no fishery directed specifically at them.
- Explains that orcinus is probably derived from orcus, an ancient mythological roman god of the netherworld. killer whales are the most widely distributed mammal.
- Explains that breeding occurs in any season, but it is most common in the summer. the gestation period of a killer whale is about 17 months—the longest known of all cetaceans.
- Explains that killer whales are highly social animals that travel in groups called pods.
- Explains that the group structure of the killer whale is quite complex. they share a related call repertoire rather than showing group-specific ‘dialects’.
- Explains that killer whales have been hunted in several regions in the past, but small numbers are still killed in whaling operations by some countries.
- Explains that the greatest threat to the killer whales comes from the disturbance and degradation of its habitat.
1062 wordsRead More - The Evolution of Whalesexplanatory essayThe origin of modern day whales, a mystery that has puzzled paleontologists for years, may have just been solved with the discovery of an ankle bone. This discovery might sound simple and unimportant, but the bones of these ancient animals hold many unanswered questions and provide solid proof of origin and behavior. The relationship between whales and other animals has proven to be difficult because whales are warm-blooded, like humans, yet they live in the sea. The fact that they are warm-blooded suggests that they are related to some type of land animal. However, the questions of exactly which animal, and how whales evolved from land to water, have remained unanswered until now.
In this essay, the author
- Explains the origin of modern day whales, a mystery that puzzled paleontologists for years, may have just been solved with the discovery of an ankle bone.
- Explains that dr. philip d. gingerich and his associates discovered two primitive whale fossils in the balochistan province of pakistan.
- Explains that gingerich's discovery is unique in that they are the only fossils to contain both bones from a whale skull and sheep-like ankle bones in the same skeleton.
- Explains that the bones of rodhocetus are very telling of its behavior. the second and fourth fingers (or "digits") were short and wide.
- Explains that rodhocetus' tarsal foot bones suggest that the animal did not spend as much time on land as it did in the water.
- Explains that gingerich believes that cetaceans evolved from artiodactyls. kenneth rose remains skeptical of simple evolution.
- Explains how gingerich's discoveries have proven to be extremely helpful to the paleontological community. the initial discovery of an ankle bone led to two well-preserved fossils that shared insight to behaviors and physical appearances of ancient animals.
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