News Animals

Narwhals may use their iconic tusks to play

The Arctic whales poked and prodded a fish that isn't usually a part of their diet

Aerial shot of six narwhals.

Narwhals summering in an island bay in the Canadian High Arctic may be the first to have been recorded while playing.

O'Corry-Crowe - Watt / FAU - DFO

By McKenzie Prillaman

Narwhals wield their iconic tusks in surprising ways — possibly even to play with newfound toys.

Aerial videos showed the Arctic whales swinging their “horns” to thwack fish prior to eating them, and in one case, gingerly prodding and flipping a fish.