Context:
Scientists have, for the first time, documented narwhals using their iconic tusks for hunting fish, foraging, and playing, while also examining their adaptation to Arctic climate change.
Key Findings on Narwhal Tusks:
- Narwhals use their tusks to hunt Arctic char by stunning or possibly killing the fish.
- They demonstrate dexterity, precision, and speed in tracking prey.
- Previously thought to be used mainly for mating displays and dominance competitions.
- 17 distinct behaviors documented, including social learning, play, and kleptoparasitism (food stealing) from glaucous gulls.
About Narwhals
- Narwhals are often called “sea unicorns” and are medium-sized toothed whales.
- They inhabit remote Arctic waters around Canada, Greenland, Norway, and Russia.
- Their most distinctive feature is the long, spiral tusk found in males, which is actually an elongated tooth.
- Lifespan: Females (~100 years), Males (~84 years)
- Reproduction: Gestation Period (~13 to 16 months)
- Narwhal Behavior:
- “Tusking” behavior: Males raise tusks out of the water, possibly for ritual assessment of rivals or mate display.
- Foraging and Hunting: Tusks used to manipulate, stun, and interrogate fish.
- Play & Social Learning: Evidence of exploratory-object play and personality differences among individuals.
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern
Source: Down to Earth
Previous Year Question
With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements:
1. The leader of an elephant group is a female.
2. The maximum gestation period can be 22 months.
3. An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only.
4. Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Statement 3 is not correct:
The average life expectancy of an elephant is 70 years and at the age of 18 years, its adulthood starts
Statement 4 is not correct:
South Indian states dominate in having a number of elephants. Among the south Indian states, Karnataka leads the table with 6,049 elephants followed by Kerala.
