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Wyrehead@mungapple.org to Biology@mander.xyzEnglish · 3 days ago

Scientists discover how narwhals grow nature's only straight tusk

phys.org

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Scientists discover how narwhals grow nature's only straight tusk

phys.org

Wyrehead@mungapple.org to Biology@mander.xyzEnglish · 3 days ago
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Narwhals have nature's only straight tusk, a single tooth up to three meters (10 feet) long, so strange they were sold as magical unicorn horns during the Middle Ages.
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  • expatriado@lemmy.world
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    3 days ago

    so, it wasn’t the midnight bacon then

    if it is a long canine, wonder about the transition period, for a while they had a useless tiny teeth coming out of the front of their face

    • Otter@lemmy.ca
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      3 days ago

      I was curious about what the tusk is even used for

      https://oceanconservancy.org/blog/2019/03/08/exactly-narwhal-tusk/

      There’s research that suggests the narwhal tusk is used primarily for hunting, but contrary to what you might be imagining, they don’t actually spear their food. In fact, there’s video evidence indicating that they instead give a quick and firm “tusk tap” to momentarily stun their prey (usually fish, shrimp or squid) and then quickly suck them up.

      TIL that narwhal tusks are for smacking and not stabbing

      The video link, although I haven’t watched it myself and didn’t find the timestamp: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OoTjLIN67Bw

      • qualia@lemmy.world
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        3 days ago

        Similar with swordfish. If they speared food they’d have difficulty removing it without hands.

        • dohpaz42@lemmy.world
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          2 days ago

          Those old Looney Tunes cartoons tell a different story.

          ~Just sayin’.~

          • qualia@lemmy.world
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            2 days ago

            rethinks life decisions

      • altphoto@lemmy.today
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        2 days ago

        Imagine if they ever figure out they can spear shit with their tusks.

        • maturelemontree@lemmy.zip
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          2 days ago

          But how would they get it off? I imagine it’d be like holding a chopstick with your mouth and trying to eat something you spear with the chop.

  • Røøk@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    The tusk/tooth is made of two different materials one inside and one outside. They spiral in different directions and that apparently keeps it straight

  • DataCrime@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    3 days ago

    They’re just whales with a shitty dental plan.

  • Zachariah@lemmy.world
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    3 days ago

    Step 1: be a magical unicorn
    Step 2:…

  • NigelFrobisher@aussie.zone
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    3 days ago

    Is it Jesus Camp?

  • EntheoNaut@lemmy.ml
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    3 days ago

    That’s wild. Literally. Would love to know more about narwhals and toothy tusks!!

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