The narwhal, a unique marine mammal, is known for its distinctive long tusk, an elongated canine tooth. Often referred to as the “unicorn of the sea,” this toothed whale lives its entire life in the high Arctic’s frigid waters. Their elusive nature and specialized existence in remote, ice-laden environments have long fascinated. Understanding their habitat offers insight into their adaptations to challenging Arctic environments.
Geographic Range and Seasonal Movements
Narwhals inhabit the Arctic waters across Canada, Greenland, and Russia, primarily found in the Atlantic sector of the Arctic Ocean. Their distribution spans regions such as the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, including northern Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, and Baffin Bay. They are also commonly found off the east and west coasts of Greenland, and eastward into areas around Svalbard, Franz Joseph Land, and Severnaya Zemlya. The largest concentration of narwhals is found in Baffin Bay, which is home to approximately 90% of the global population.
These whales exhibit seasonal migrations, moving between offshore wintering and coastal summering areas. During summer, narwhals shift to ice-free, shallower coastal waters, including fjords and bays. They often return to the same summering grounds year after year, demonstrating strong site fidelity. Prominent summer locations include areas within the Canadian Arctic like Admiralty Inlet, Prince Regent Inlet, and Eclipse Sound, as well as various fjords in East and Northwest Greenland.
As autumn progresses, narwhals journey to deeper, offshore wintering grounds. These winter habitats are characterized by thick pack ice. Migration routes lead them to areas such as the Davis Strait and central Baffin Bay, where they spend the coldest months under dense ice. Their spring migration back to coastal areas is often slower, as they wait for ice conditions to allow passage.
Factors Shaping Narwhal Habitat
The narwhal’s habitat choice is linked to environmental and biological factors, particularly sea ice. Narwhals are considered “Arctic specialists” due to their reliance on specific conditions in both their summer and winter ranges. Their wintering grounds are typically in deep waters, where they undertake some of the deepest dives recorded for a marine mammal, often reaching 800 meters and sometimes exceeding 1,500 meters, in search of food.
Access to breathing holes or open water areas within the ice, known as leads and polynyas, is a habitat requirement. Polynyas are naturally occurring areas of open water surrounded by sea ice, providing spaces for narwhals to surface and breathe. The North Water Polynya, located between Canada and Greenland, is an important example, serving as a refuge and feeding ground for narwhals during winter.
Their diet also dictates movements and habitat use, as they primarily feed on demersal prey like Greenland halibut and Arctic cod found in deep-water locations. In winter, narwhals feed intensively on demersal prey under dense pack ice. During summer, they consume more pelagic fish like Arctic cod. Narwhals show a preference for cold water, with foraging activity concentrated in waters ranging from 0.6 to 1.5°C.