Video shows first clear evidence of narwhals using tusks to play—and stun prey

BOCA RATON, Fla. — The narwhal’s spiral tusk has puzzled scientists and inspired myths for centuries, but until recently, scientists had limited direct observations of how these mysterious Arctic whales use their signature feature in the wild. That changed when researchers flying drones over Canada’s High Arctic captured remarkable footage of narwhals using their tusks as multipurpose tools—precisely tracking and stunning fish, interacting with prey through gentle taps and rotations, and engaging in what appears to be the first documented instance of exploratory-object play in these enigmatic creatures.

The discovery provides scientists with extraordinary new insights into one of nature’s most distinctive adaptations.

A Look Into Narwhals’ Lives Using Drone Technology

The study, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, provides unprecedented visual evidence of tusk use in narwhals. By deploying drones over Creswell Bay, Somerset Island, in the Canadian High Arctic, scientists recorded the whales exhibiting a range of complex behaviors that challenge previous assumptions about the function of their tusks. The footage captured narwhals maneuvering their tusks with remarkable precision, suggesting they use them for much more than display or competition.

The research team, led by Greg O’Corry-Crowe from Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, collaborated with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and other institutions to analyze the footage. Their findings indicate that tusks are not merely ornamental but serve practical roles in foraging, exploration, and possibly even social interaction.

“Narwhals are known for their ‘tusking’ behavior, where two or more of them simultaneously raise their tusks almost vertically out of the water, crossing them in what may be a ritualistic behavior to assess a potential opponent’s qualities or to display those qualities to potential mates,” said O’Corry-Crowe. “But now we know that narwhal tusks have other uses, some quite unexpected, including foraging, exploration, and likely play.”

From Curious Investigation to Active Hunting

The researchers documented two distinct behavioral sequences involving multiple narwhals, Arctic char, and in one case, glaucous gulls. These observations revealed fascinating insights into narwhal behavior, including a possible example of exploratory-object play.

In the first sequence, an adult narwhal pursued a single large Arctic char, using the tip of its tusk to closely track the fish’s movements. Two other narwhals soon joined, forming a coordinated group. The lead narwhal occasionally tapped the fish with its tusk, sometimes applying gentle downward pressure or rotating it, but never with enough force to cause harm. This interaction appeared more investigative than predatory, raising the possibility that the whales were exploring a novel prey item rather than attempting to capture it.

Despite multiple opportunities to seize the fish, none of the narwhals made an attempt to consume it. Even when the fish’s tail briefly brushed against one whale’s snout, the whale did not react with a feeding response.

The second observation, recorded two days later, revealed a stark contrast. This time, three younger male narwhals actively hunted smaller Arctic char, striking them with their tusks in rapid succession. One narwhal delivered five swift blows to a fish, using both the tip and shaft of its tusk, successfully stunning the prey.

Seagull Thieves: An Unexpected Complication

This hunting behavior was frequently interrupted by seagulls attempting to steal the narwhals’ prey—a phenomenon known as kleptoparasitism. Opportunistic glaucous gulls swooped down, trying to snatch fish that the whales had targeted.

“Our observations provide clear evidence of narwhals chasing fish and using their tusks to interact directly with the fish and to influence the fish’s behavior,” said O’Corry-Crowe. “Some of the interactions we saw appeared competitive in nature, with one whale blocking or trying to block another whale’s access to the same target fish, while others may have been more subtle, possibly communicative and even affiliative. None appeared overtly aggressive.”

The footage revealed an extraordinary level of dexterity and control in tusk use. Narwhals performed tight, rapid turns—sometimes completing a full 360-degree rotation in under three seconds—to maintain precise positioning. Unlike horizontal turns seen in other marine mammals, narwhals rotated their bodies sideways, bringing their heads downward toward their tails, a movement that appeared to aid in tracking prey with the tip of the tusk.

Play Behavior: A Scientific First?

Perhaps the most intriguing finding was evidence suggesting play behavior. Play is rarely documented in wild animals, particularly adults, because it seemingly offers no immediate survival benefit. However, play is thought to help develop skills, explore novel situations, and strengthen social bonds.

The narwhals’ interaction with the large Arctic char in the first observation met several key criteria for play: it lacked an obvious functional purpose, appeared spontaneous and voluntary, involved exaggerated and repeated actions, and occurred in the absence of stress.

“I have been studying narwhal for over a decade and have always marveled at their tusks,” said Cortney Watt, Ph.D., co-author and research scientist at Fisheries and Oceans, Canada. “To observe them using their tusks for foraging and play is remarkable. This unique study where we set up a remote field camp and spent time filming narwhal with drones is yielding many interesting insights and is providing a bird’s-eye view of their behavior that we have never seen before.”

Social Learning in a Changing Arctic

The study also highlighted complex social dynamics among narwhals. In some cases, whales competed for access to fish, blocking one another’s approach. In others, they seemed to cooperate or communicate, adjusting their positions in response to one another’s movements. These interactions suggest narwhals might learn from each other, with younger individuals potentially observing and adopting hunting techniques from more experienced adults.

This behavioral flexibility may play a crucial role in how narwhals adapt to the rapidly changing Arctic environment. Climate change is shifting prey distributions and ice conditions, forcing marine mammals to adjust their foraging strategies. The observed ability of narwhals to experiment with different tusk uses—such as testing new prey species—suggests they may have some capacity to adapt.

“To understand how narwhals are being affected by and adapting to the changing Arctic, field studies using innovative, non-invasive tools like drones are essential to observe them in their natural environment without disturbing them,” said O’Corry-Crowe. “Drones provide a unique, real-time view of their behavior, helping scientists gather crucial data on how narwhals are responding to shifts in ice patterns, prey availability, and other environmental changes.”

The narwhal’s tusk—once the stuff of unicorn legends—turns out to be not just an ornament for attracting mates or intimidating rivals, but a tool that helps these marine beauties navigate their icy world, hunt their prey, and perhaps even have a little fun along the way.