While most whales lack traditional ivory tusks like elephants, certain species possess specialized teeth chemically and structurally similar to ivory. These unique dental formations offer a nuanced answer to whether whales have ivory.
Defining Ivory
Ivory is a hard, white material derived from the tusks and teeth of various animals. Its primary component is dentin, a calcified tissue that forms the bulk of teeth and tusks. This dentin, composed of mineralized collagen, gives ivory its characteristic strength and appearance. While elephants are the most commonly recognized source, other animals like walruses, hippopotamuses, and certain whales also produce ivory from their teeth.
Whale Structures: Tusks and Teeth
Among whales, the narwhal possesses an elongated canine tooth that qualifies as a form of ivory. This tusk, which can grow up to 3.5 meters (10 feet) long, typically extends from the left side of the male narwhal’s upper jaw. The narwhal’s tusk is unique because it has nerves on the outside with dense material on the inside, functioning as a sensory organ that can detect changes in water temperature and salinity. While its exact purpose is still being researched, it is thought to play a role in foraging, navigation, and possibly sexual selection.
Sperm whales also have teeth considered ivory. These whales possess 36-60 conical teeth primarily located in their lower jaw, reaching up to 8 inches in length and weighing around 2 pounds. While robust, sperm whale teeth are not primarily used for chewing but rather for grasping large, slippery prey like squid, which they swallow whole.
Baleen: Not Ivory, But Unique
Baleen is a distinct material found in a group of whales known as baleen whales, which include species like humpbacks, blue whales, and gray whales. Unlike ivory, which is made of dentin, baleen is composed of keratin, the same protein found in human fingernails and hair. These bristly plates, often called “whalebone,” hang from the upper jaw and can be up to 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) long, forming a filter-feeding system.
Baleen whales use these plates to sieve small organisms such as krill, plankton, and small fish from the water. The whale opens its mouth to take in large volumes of water and prey, then pushes the water out through the baleen, trapping the food inside. The number, size, and color of baleen plates vary among species, reflecting different feeding styles and prey types.
Legal Status and Conservation
The trade and possession of whale products, including those considered ivory, are subject to various international and national regulations aimed at conservation. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) lists most whale species on Appendix I, prohibiting international commercial trade in their products.
In the United States, the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972 protects all marine mammals, making it illegal to harass, hunt, capture, or kill them without a permit. This act also regulates the import and export of marine mammal parts. While certain exceptions exist for pre-Act parts or for scientific research, strict authorization is required for any activity involving protected species parts.