Narwhals are real-life sea unicorns of the Arctic. The long spiral "horn" on males is actually a tooth that grows right through the upper lip — up to 10 feet long — and works like a giant sensor for the icy sea.
📋 Narwhal at a glance
⚡ Superpower
A narwhal's "horn" is really a giant tooth with about 10 million nerve endings that senses the ocean around it.
🤩 Amazing Narwhal facts
The narwhal's tusk is a tooth that can grow 10 feet long.
❓ Common questions about narwhals
How big is a narwhal?
Up to 4,200 lb (1,900 kg). The narwhal's tusk is a tooth that can grow 10 feet long.
Where do narwhals live?
Narwhals live in the wild: icy arctic waters. They are wild animals and are never kept as pets.
How long do narwhals live?
Narwhals typically live 30–40 years (some much longer).
Can you keep a narwhal as a pet?
No! Narwhals are wild animals — they belong in the wild (icy arctic waters), and keeping one would be unsafe and usually illegal. If you love animals, check out our care guides for real pets your family can have.
🎬 See narwhals in action
Watch kid-friendly videos about narwhals on YouTube.
▶ Watch Narwhal videos on YouTube