Narwhal

Monodon monoceros

General Status Rank: 
Vagrant
ELCODE: 
AMAGD02010
Common Name: 
Narwhal
Scientific Name: 
Monodon monoceros
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Marine Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Artiodactyla (Cetacea)
Family: 
Monodontidae
References: 
B001
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

Several years (exact figure unknown).
References: 
B057
BSC2

Longevity

25 years or more (maximum 50 years).
References: 
BSC2

Economic/Human Considerations

Hunted for meat; tooth is valuable.
Habitat
Generally in deep waters.
References: 
B057
Distribution

Ecozones

Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean
References: 
BSC2

Distribution

Category F = 20,000-200,000 km2.
Score: 
F

Historical Distribution

At one time also in the western arctic; occasional visitor in NWT.
References: 
B001
H135

Area of Occupancy

Migratory.
Score: 
-
Population

Population Size

29,000 (northwest Atlantic only).
Score: 
F
References: 
B057
SUC25
SUC30
SUC31
Threats

Threats

Hunting, climate change.
Score: 
C
References: 
H135

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Climate change.
Score: 
-
References: 
H135
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Vagrant
Status Rank Description: 
Range includes Newfoundland and Labrador and Nunavut, in the Arctic and Atlantic oceans. The species is considered a vagrant in NWT waters. From 2024 COSEWIC assessment as Not at Risk: The overall population of this Arctic, ice-loving toothed whale is large (> 161,000 total or 93,500 mature individuals) and, although there is uncertainty about population structure, stock numbers, and trends, there is no evidence for a decreasing trend in abundance. Current levels of hunting are thought to be sustainable. Abundance may have declined in some areas coincident with increased shipping, but these likely reflect a redistribution of animals rather than a decline in abundance. Threats anticipated to increase in future include noise pollution from ship traffic and ice-breaking, and climate change. These could present challenges if narwhal are not closely monitored.
S Rank: 
SNA
Decision Process Description: 
Reviewed in 2010; no change. Reviewed in 2015; no change. Reviewed in 2020, no change.
Last Updated: 
November 1, 2024
Status Designations

NWT - Assessment by Species at Risk Committee

NWT SARC Assessment: 
Not Applicable

NWT - Species at Risk Legal Status

NWT Status Rank: 
Not Applicable

Canada – Assessment by Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

COSEWIC Status: 
Not At Risk
Designated Not at Risk in April 1986 and in April 1987. Status re-examined and designated Special Concern in November 2004. Status re-examined and designated Not at Risk in May 2024. The overall population of this Arctic, ice-loving toothed whale is large (>161,000 total, 93,500 mature individuals) and, although there is uncertainty about population structure, stock numbers, and trends, there is no evidence for a decreasing trend in abundance. Current levels of hunting are thought to be sustainable. Abundance may have declined in some areas coincident with increased shipping, but these likely reflect a redistribution of animals rather than a decline in abundance. Threats anticipated to increase in future include noise pollution from ship traffic and ice-breaking, and climate change. These could present challenges is narwhal are not closely monitored.

Canada – Species at Risk Legal Status

SARA Status: 
Special Concern

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Klinowska M (1991) Dolphins, Porpoised and Whales of the World: The IUCN Red Data Book. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natrual Resources RWED Library Call #QL737.C4D6 - B057 Return
  • Wilson, Don. E and Ruff, S. (eds) (1999) The Smithsonian book of North American mammals. UBC Press 750 pp. RWED Library Call#QL715.S64 - BSC2 Return

Ecozones

  • Wilson, Don. E and Ruff, S. (eds) (1999) The Smithsonian book of North American mammals. UBC Press 750 pp. RWED Library Call#QL715.S64 - BSC2 Return

Habitat

  • Klinowska M (1991) Dolphins, Porpoised and Whales of the World: The IUCN Red Data Book. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natrual Resources RWED Library Call #QL737.C4D6 - B057 Return

Historical Distribution

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Sue Cosens (2000) Pers. communication. Arctic Stock Assessment Section, DFO Science Directorate - H135 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Sue Cosens (2000) Pers. communication. Arctic Stock Assessment Section, DFO Science Directorate - H135 Return

Longevity

  • Wilson, Don. E and Ruff, S. (eds) (1999) The Smithsonian book of North American mammals. UBC Press 750 pp. RWED Library Call#QL715.S64 - BSC2 Return

Population Size

Klinowska M (1991) Dolphins, Porpoised and Whales of the World: The IUCN Red Data Book. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natrual Resources RWED Library Call #QL737.C4D6 - B057 Return
,
DFO, (1998) Baffin Bay Narwhal. DFO Science Stock Status Report E5-43 (1998). - SUC25 Return
,
Richard, P., P. Weaver, L. Dueck and D. Barber. (1994) Distribution and relative abundance of Canadian High Arctic narwhals (Monodon monoceros) in August 1984. Meddr Grønland, Biosci 39: 41-50. - SUC30 Return
,
Smith, T.G., M.O. Hammil, D.J. Burrage, and G.A. Sleno (1985) Distribution and abundance of belugas, Delphinapterus leucus, and narwhals, Monodon monoceros, in the Canadian high Arctic. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci 42: 676-684. - SUC31 Return

Taxonomy

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Threats

  • Sue Cosens (2000) Pers. communication. Arctic Stock Assessment Section, DFO Science Directorate - H135 Return