Narwhals Sport Iconic Straight, Spiraled Tusks. Scientists Just Uncovered Some of the Eye-Catching Feature's Structural Secrets

From unicorn horn to scientific marvel: Narwhal tusk’s double spiral decoded

The discovery reveals how an unusual dental structure may give narwhals a remarkably strong and stable tusk despite its extraordinary length

3D X-ray imaging unlocks the secrets of the narwhal’s spiral tusk

By Will Dunham Aug 20 (Reuters) - In the Middle Ages, narwhal tusks were sold as unicorn horns blessed with magical powers such as neutralizing poisons and curing diseases — prized possessions of monarchs and nobles worth more than their weight in gold...

Narwhals Sport Iconic Straight, Spiraled Tusks. Scientists Just Uncovered Some of the Eye-Catching Feature's Structural Secrets

The Arctic whales are the only known animals with straight tusks, and ones that consistently twist to the left. New research reveals that the inner layer twists to the right and that the opposing spirals provide strength and help the tusks grow straight

3D X-ray imaging unlocks the secrets of the narwhal's spiral tusk

Aug 20 : In the Middle Ages, narwhal tusks were sold as unicorn horns blessed with magical powers such as neutralizing poisons and curing diseases — prized possessions of monarchs and nobles worth more than their weight in gold. They provided no such powers, of course, but even today remain objects of mystery.