“There’s been a debate for 400 years about what those tusks are used for,” said University of Windsor assistant biology professor Nigel Hussey, who was part of the team of researchers who shot the video using drones. “This footage is the first time we have a direct observation of the tusk being used for a specific behaviour.”The video was shot last August in Tremblay Sound, Nunavut. Hussey said previous theories about the tusks use have included sexual selection, weapons and to aid the whales’ navigation skills. The cod is the hinge to the whole system.”RelatedTwo drones were sent out and recorded multiple narwhals using their tusks to stun the cod and eat them. “It’s pretty amazing to see the tusk used in such an agile way by the whales,” Hussey said.

Source: National Post May 17, 2017 03:22 UTC