Narwhal [1]
Size comparison with an average human
Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)[2]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Cetacea
Suborder:	Odontoceti
Family:	Monodontidae
Genus:	Monodon Linnaeus, 1758
Species:	M. monoceros
Binomial name
Monodon monoceros Linnaeus, 1758
Narwhal range (in blue)

The narwhal, or narwhale, Monodon monoceros, is a medium-sized toothed whale that lives year-round in the Arctic. One of two living species of whale in the Monodontidae family, along with the beluga whale, narwhal males are distinguished by a long, straight, helical tusk, actually an elongated upper left canine. Found primarily in Canadian Arctic and Greenlandic waters, rarely south of 65°N latitude, the narwhal is a uniquely specialized Arctic predator. In the winter, it feeds on benthic prey, mostly flatfish, at depths of up to 1500 m under dense pack ice.^[3] Narwhal have been harvested for over a thousand years by Inuit people in northern Canada and Greenland for meat and ivory, and a regulated subsistence hunt continues to this day. While populations appear stable, the narwhal has been deemed particularly vulnerable to climate change due to a narrow geographical range and specialized diet.^[4]

Taxonomy and etymology[link]

The narwhal was one of the many species originally described by Linnaeus in his Systema Naturae.^[5] Its name is derived from the Old Norse word nár, meaning "corpse", in reference to the animal's greyish, mottled pigmentation, like that of a drowned sailor.^[6] The scientific name, Monodon monoceros, is derived from Greek: "one-tooth one-horn"^[6] or "one-toothed unicorn".

The narwhal is most closely related to the beluga whale. Together, these two species comprise the only extant members of the Monodontidae family, sometimes referred to as the "white whales". The Monodontidae are distinguished by medium size (3-5 m in length), forehead melons, short snouts, and the absence of a true dorsal fin.^[7] The white whales, dolphins (Delphinidae) and porpoises (Phocoenidae) together comprise the Delphinoidea superfamily, which are of likely monophyletic origin. Genetic evidence suggests the porpoises are more closely related to the white whales, and that these two families constitute a separate clade which diverged from the Delphinoidea within the past 11 million years.^[8]

Description[link]

This narwhal skull has double tusks, a rare trait in narwhals. Usually, males have a single long tusk, the canine on the left side of the upper jaw. (Zoologisches Museum in Hamburg)

Male narwhals weigh up to 1,600 kilograms (3,500 lb), and the females weigh around 1,000 kilograms (2,200 lb). The pigmentation of the narwhal is a mottled black and white pattern. They are darkest when born and become whiter in color with age.^[6][9]

The most conspicuous characteristic of the male narwhal is its single 2–3 meter (7–10 ft) long tusk, a canine tooth^[10] that projects from the left side of the upper jaw and forms a left-handed helix. The tusk can be up to 3 meters (9.8 ft) long—compared with a body length of 4–5 meters (13–16 ft)—and weigh up to 10 kilograms (22 lb). About one in 500 males has two tusks, which occurs when the right canine, normally small, also grows out. A female narwhal has a shorter, and straighter tusk.^[11] She may also produce a second tusk, but this occurs rarely, and there is a single recorded case of a female with dual tusks.^[12]

The most broadly accepted theory for the role of the tusk is as a secondary sexual characteristic, similar to the mane of a lion or the tail feathers of a peacock.^[6] This hypothesis was notably discussed and defended at length by Charles Darwin, in The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex (1871). It may help determine social rank, maintain dominance hierarchies, or help young males develop skills necessary for performance in adult sexual roles. Narwhals have rarely been observed using their tusk for fighting,^[13] other aggressive behavior or for breaking sea ice in their Arctic habitat.^[6]

Behavior and diet[link]

Narwhals "tusking"

Narwhals have a relatively restricted and specialized diet. Their prey is predominantly composed of Greenland halibut, polar and Arctic cod, shrimp and Gonatus squid. Additional items found in stomachs have included wolffish, capelin, skate eggs and sometimes rocks, accidentally ingested when whales feed near the bottom.^[3][14][15]

Narwhals exhibit seasonal migrations, with high fidelity of return to preferred, ice-free summering grounds, usually in shallow waters. In the winter, they are found primarily in offshore, deeper waters under thick pack ice, surfacing in narrow fissures in the sea ice, or leads.^[15] Narwhals from Canada and West Greenland winter regularly in the pack ice of Davis Strait and Baffin Bay along the continental slope with less than 5% open water and high densities of Greenland halibut.^[3] Feeding in the winter accounts for a much larger portion of narwhal energy intake than in the summer^[3][15] and, as marine predators, they are unique in their successful exploitation of deep-water arctic ecosystems.

Most notable of their adaptations is the ability to perform deep dives. When on their wintering grounds, the narwhals make some of the deepest dives ever recorded for a marine mammal, diving to at least 800 meters (2,625 feet) over 15 times per day, with many dives reaching 1,500 meters (4,921 feet). Dives to these depths last around 25 minutes, including the time spent at the bottom and the transit down and back from the surface.^[16] In the shallower summering grounds, narwhals dive to depths between 30 and 300 meters (90–900 feet).

Narwhals normally congregate in groups of about five to ten individuals. In the summer, several groups come together, forming larger aggregations. At times, male narwhals rub their tusks together in an activity called "tusking".^[14] This behavior is thought to maintain social dominance hierarchies.^[14]

Population and distribution[link]

The frequent (solid) and rare (striped) occurrence of narwhal populations

The narwhal is found predominantly in the Atlantic and Russian areas of the Arctic Ocean. Individuals are commonly recorded in the northern part of Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, Baffin Bay; off the east coast of Greenland; and in a strip running east from the northern end of Greenland round to eastern Russia (170° East). Land in this strip includes Svalbard, Franz Joseph Land, and Severnaya Zemlya.^[6] The northernmost sightings of narwhal have occurred north of Franz Joseph Land, at about 85° North latitude.^[6]

The world population is currently estimated to be around 75,000 individuals.^[4] Most of the world's narwhals are concentrated in the fjords and inlets of Northern Canada and western Greenland.

Narwhals are a migratory species. In summer months, they move closer to coasts, usually in pods of 10-100. As the winter freeze begins, they move away from shore, and reside in densely packed ice, surviving in leads and small holes in the ice. As spring comes, these leads open up into channels and the narwhals return to the coastal bays.^[4]

Predation and conservation[link]

The only predators of narwhals besides humans are polar bears and killer whales (orcas). Inuit people are allowed to hunt this whale species legally for subsistence. The northern climate provides little nutrition in the form of vitamins, which can only be obtained through the consumption of seal, whale, and walrus. Almost all parts of the narwhal, meat, skin, blubber and organs are consumed. Mattak, the name for raw skin and blubber, is considered a delicacy, and the bones are used for tools and art.^[6] The skin is an important source of vitamin C which is otherwise difficult to obtain. In some places in Greenland, such as Qaanaaq, traditional hunting methods are used, and whales are harpooned from handmade kayaks. In other parts of Greenland and Northern Canada, high-speed boats and hunting rifles are used.^[6]

The head of a lance made from a Narwhal tusk with a meteorite iron blade

Narwhal have been found to be one of the most vulnerable arctic marine mammals to climate change. The study quantified the vulnerabilities of 11 year-round Arctic sea mammals.^[4][17] Narwhals that have been brought into captivity tend to die of unnatural causes.^[18]

Humans and narwhals[link]

In Inuit legend, the narwhal's tusk was created when a woman with a harpoon rope tied around her waist was dragged into the ocean after the harpoon had struck a large narwhal. She was transformed into a narwhal herself, and her hair, which she was wearing in a twisted knot, became the characteristic spiral narwhal tusk.^[19]

Image of narwhal from Brehms Tierleben

Some medieval Europeans believed narwhal tusks to be the horns from the legendary unicorn.^[20] As these horns were considered to have magic powers, such as the ability to cure poison and melancholia, Vikings and other northern traders were able to sell them for many times their weight in gold. The tusks were used to make cups that were thought to negate any poison that may have been slipped into the drink. During the 16th century, Queen Elizabeth received a carved and bejeweled narwhal tusk for £10,000—the cost of a castle (approximately £1.5—2.5 Million in 2007, using the retail price index).^[21] The tusks were staples of the cabinet of curiosities.^[22] The truth of the tusk's origin developed gradually during the Age of Exploration, as explorers and naturalists began to visit Arctic regions themselves. In 1555, Olaus Magnus published a drawing of a fish-like creature with a horn on its forehead, correctly identifying it as a "Narwal".^[22] The narwhal was one of two possible explanations of the giant sea phenomenon written by Jules Verne in his book Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. The other possible explanation was a man-made vessel, but that was not likely in the opinion of the narrator.

Herman Melville wrote a section on the narwhal in Moby Dick, in which he claims a narwhal tusk hung for "a long period" in Windsor Castle after Sir Martin Frobisher had given it to Queen Elizabeth.^[23]

References[link]

Further reading[link]

External links[link]

Cetaceans portal

Wikispecies has information related to: Monodon monoceros

• Biology and ecology of narwhals, NOAA
• Narwhal FAQ
• Images and information about Narwhal Whales
• Narwhal general information
• Narwhal info
• National Geographic Gallery

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Monodon monoceros

Zach Gill
Zach Gill performing with Jack Johnson in Christchurch, 2008
Background information
Birth name	Zachary Dylan Gill
Born	May 18,1975 (37)
Genres	Rock
Occupations	Musician
Instruments	Vocals, piano, accordion, melodica, ukulele, guitar, banjo
Labels	brushfire records
Website	www.zachgill.com

Zach Gill (born May 18, 1975) is a multi instrumentalist/singer/songwriter/member of the rock band ALO and a member of Jack Johnson's band. He also performs regularly as a solo artist.

History[link]

Encouraged by his family, Zachary Gill began taking piano lessons in the third grade; in seventh grade he began taking guitar lessons as well. In 1987 Zach formed the band "One Percent Away" with classmates Dan Lebowitz, Steve Adams, Matt West and James Chung. Gill played rhythm guitar and sang, the group performed mainly cover material.

In 1989, the band broke up, but reformed under the name Django. Django began performing original material and Gill became the groups keyboardist and main vocalist. Throughout high school Gill performed in a number of groups as both a singer and an instrumentalist and even acted in a few musicals, receiving the lead role of Tevye in the Saratoga High School production of Fiddler on the Roof. In 1993, Django released a cassette of original music. That same year Gill moved with his band mates from Saratoga, California to Isla Vista, California where he became a student at UCSB.

At UCSB, Gill became a prominent figure in the university town's vibrant music culture, performing regularly with The UCSB Gospel Choir, The UCSB Jazz Ensemble and The UCSB Middle East Ensemble. in 1994, Django released a full-length CD and became a favorite band of the Isla Vista party scene.

In the winter of 1995, Django's drummer Matt West left the band and was replaced by David Brogan of Evil Farmer. In the summer of 1996 Django toured across the country, eventually basing themselves in Augusta, Georgia for the rest of that summer. While in Augusta they built up a local following and received the blessing of the Godfather of soul himself, James Brown. Mr. Brown encouraged the boys to finish school before embarking on a music career. Taking his advice they headed back to Isla Vista. Upon arriving home, Django officially disbanded. Gill continued to play music with Lebowitz and Adams, forming numerous other bands from the fall of 96 through the winter of 97, before emerging as the Animal Liberation Orchestra and the Free Range Horns in the spring of 98.

After graduating from UCSB with a degree in history, Gill began his career as a professional musician, working as an accompanist for UCSB's Modern Dance Department. Later that year he relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area and began accompanying modern dance classes there as well. He also continued to perform with a smaller version of the Animal Liberation Orchestra and traveled with the group back and forth from San Francisco to Santa Barbara.

In 2000, Zach moved to Marin county, and began teaching music at a private school in Fairfax, CA. He also began working as a musical director for a number of theater companies in the north bay area. In 2001, Gill began performing as a solo artist under the name Zach Gill and the Fabulous Wonder Bakery as well as performing weekly as part of a dueling piano show.

In 2002, Gill left Marin and moved back to Santa Barbara. From 2002 to 2005 he toured heavily around the United States with ALO.

In 2005, he joined forces with college pal Jack Johnson. ALO was signed to Jack's label, Brushfire records, and Zach was also invited to join Jack's band. Since joining the group, Zach has diversified the group's trademark sound with his multi-instrumental zest, vocals, and dancing skills and ALO has become an international touring act. Over the past decade Zach has performed at festivals and on television shows around the world, including Saturday night Live, Late night with Dave Letterman, the tonight show with Jay Leno, Bonoroo, Glastonbury, Live Earth and the 2008 United States Presidential inauguration ball.

Zach's music has been featured in the "Curious George" film and soundtrack alongside Johnson. He has also collaborated with Aimee Mann and Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads) on a composition, "At the Edge of the World" for the Paramount Pictures documentary An Arctic Tale.

In 2008 Gill released an eponymous debut solo project with Brushfire Records entitled "Zach Gill's Stuff". The album features guest appearances by Steve Adams from ALO, Tristan Prettyman, Merlo and Adam (his Jack Johnson bandmates). The first single from the album, Family, features Jack Johnson on drums and appeared in the movie "Baby Mama" with Amy Poehler, Tina Fey and Greg Kinnear.

In support of his 2008 album release, Gill toured nationally with singer-songwriter Mason Jennings and with fellow keyboardist Kyle Hollingsworth of the String Cheese Incident. In 2009 he was brought in by UCSB's Arts and Lecture to perform for alumni, faculty and the current student body.

In February 2010, Brushfire records released ALO's sixth studio album entitled Man of the World produced by ALO and Jack Johnson. Gill has been touring and recording with both Jack and ALO throughout 2010.

Music Style[link]

Zach Gill is notable for the fluid motion he exhibits while playing. An animated pianist, he rarely stops moving in his trademark jellylike, swaying way. His piano stylings ranges from haunting (Shapeshifter) to upbeat and controlled-substance induced (Wasting Time) to mythic sounding (Barbeque). His music is full of heart, humor, personality and top notch musicianship ("Don't touch my stuff"). His solo performances feel more like performance art rather than a traditional rock show. He employs traditional instruments like banjos, ukuleles and accordions in non traditional ways and uses story telling, audience participation and even hand puppets and hand made masks to enhance his compositions and performances.

Discography[link]

Solo[link]

• 2005 Dogwood Forest EP
• 2006 Snowman's Philosophy EP
• 2008 Zach Gill's Stuff

With Django[link]

• 1993 Contact
• 1994 Tabula Rasa
• 1995 The Fasting Showman single off Santa Barbara unsigned heroes volume?
• 1996 Django 4 song demo Django with David Brogan

With Animal Liberation Orchestra[link]

• 1998 The Animal Liberation Orchestra and the Free range Horns Vs. L.A.G.
• 1999 One Size Fits All
• 2000 Expressions hot tub EP
• 2002 Time Expander
• 2004 Fly Between Falls
• 2007 Roses & Clover
• 2010 Man of the World

With Jack Johnson[link]

• 2005 In Between Dreams
• 2006 Let it be sung single with Jack Johnson and Matt Costa
• 2008 Sleep Through the Static
• 2010 [En concert]
• 2010 To the Sea

Other[link]

• 1997 Magnum Family blue tape demo with Magnum Family
• 2008 Oh Mighty Engine with Neil Halstead
• 2009 Zee Avi with Zee Avi
• 2009 Montana Tale by John Craigie, played Piano, Organ, and Accordion

Videos[link]

Zach has several music videos on YouTube both solo and with ALO. The "Family" music video is directed by The Malloys, and the "Don't Touch My Stuff" music video is directed by Matthew J. Powers.

External links[link]

• Zach Gill's Official Site
• Zach Gill on MySpace.com
• Zach Gill on Facebook
• Zach Gill's Video, "Family"