More Wonders of the Ocean

A few weeks ago I was wandering around the Grand Rapids Public Museum (which I highly recommend - a very interesting museum with really informative and well done displays) and I came across a display about ivory. It was focused on the ways that ivory has been exploited and talked about where ivory comes from. One part showed a narwhal tusk, and I will admit that I was a little baffled that narwhals are actually real! I hate to show my ignorance that I didn't realize the reality of this fantastic creature - I'd seen the one in Elf, but didn't realize it was an actual animal! Once I saw the display at the museum, however, I realized that maybe narwhals weren't just a claymation fantasy.

This discovery led to some serious research (mostly involving the always accurate Wikipedia) about narwhals. They are amazing! (And slightly terrifying - I don't really need yet one more reason to stay out of the ocean...) Apparently male narwhals are the ones with the tusks - the

left of their two front teeth grows out into a spiral and can reach a length of 7-10 feet!! (Their bodies are 13-16 feet long.) The tusk isn't used for fighting or eating, but serves a similar purpose as peacock feathers or a lion's mane (for mating rituals/showing off).

Elizabeth and I were looking at photos of them last night, and I can't get over how insane these guys look! (They are thought to have lead to the legend of the unicorn, too.) I'm amazed at the incredible animals out there as well as how terrible my earth science teacher in high school was. How did I not know about the ocean sunfish or the narwhal? Now I know...and knowing's half the battle. ;)