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# The narwhal's horn is a modified male tooth and is not used to break ice
- URL: https://theparnassian.com/en/rog-narvala-na-samom-dele-eto-vidoizmenennyi-zub-u-samtsa/
- Published: 2025-02-22T18:48:19.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-02T18:42:57.000Z
- Author: Alexandr Radayev
- Tags: Science, Nature

The narwhal's horn is in fact a modified tooth in the male. Males of this marine mammal have two teeth in all; the left one grows out spirally twisted and can reach two or three metres in length. In females these tusks do not erupt at all.

Despite a popular misconception, the horn is not used for breaking ice. The Arctic unicorn needs its handsome horn to attract females and to obtain food; since it is rich in nerve endings, breaking ice with it would be rather painful.

![](https://theparnassian.com/content/images/2026/09/photo_15403@22-02-2025_21-48-19.jpg)

![](https://theparnassian.com/content/images/2026/09/photo_15404@22-02-2025_21-48-19.jpg)

![](https://theparnassian.com/content/images/2026/09/photo_15405@22-02-2025_21-48-19.jpg)