Slashdot Mirror


Narwhal Tusks are Sensory Organs

PR0UD_INFIDEL writes "The New York Times is reporting that a recent study has determined that Narwhal tusks are not for fighting or breaking through ice, but are highly sensitive sensory organs. From the article: 'The close-ups showed that 10 million nerve endings tunnel from the tusk's core toward its outer surface, [and can] detect subtle changes of temperature, pressure, particle gradients and probably much else.'"

22 of 194 comments (clear)

  1. Save the whales... by iced_tea · · Score: 5, Funny

    Redeem them for valuable prizes.

  2. senstive by garvald · · Score: 2, Funny

    in another related report today, unicorns and swordfish claim their sword's have the same sensitive attributes and should not be underrated.

  3. I knew it. by Atario · · Score: 5, Funny

    They're antennae! Narwhals are the contacts for the aliens! Where's my tinfoil...

    --
    "A great democracy must be progressive or it will soon cease to be a great democracy." --Theodore Roosevelt
  4. Nar by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    That's no whale

  5. toothache by nut · · Score: 4, Funny

    Who new that sensitive teeth could be an evolutionary advantage...

    --
    Never trust a man in a blue trench coat, Never drive a car when you're dead
    1. Re:toothache by AndroidCat · · Score: 1, Funny

      And they spend their time with it in cold water. Ouch!

      --
      One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
    2. Re:toothache by mikesmind · · Score: 1, Funny
      Who new that sensitive teeth could be an evolutionary advantage...

      or excellent design!

      --
      www.mikesmind.com - www.daddyworkathome.com - www.freetofarm.org - www.tenfoottable.com
  6. Now that you mention it... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    I've got a highly sensitive tusk shaped sensory organ too!

  7. Me too by SpaceAdmiral · · Score: 5, Funny

    My "highly sensitive sensory organ" is about the same size.

  8. This explains... by kerrbear · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...why Mr. Narwhale knew that Buddy was leaving.

  9. Who woulda thunk it? by sl4shd0rk · · Score: 2, Funny

    It's interesting how our highly developed sense of cognition limits us to thinking sharp+pointed=weapon, however I've also seen John Holmes flogging a few porn stars senseless with his large sensory organ, so eh..

    --
    Join the Slashcott! Feb 10 thru Feb 17!
  10. Radio waves by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    Maybe this explains why certain people can pick up radio transmissions. Except when they are wearing tinfoil hats, of course.

  11. Re:Fascinating by Sippan · · Score: 2, Funny

    A Narwhal man's place is in the kitchen! The tusks are for finding food.

    And yes that's how you spell Narwhal.

    --
    Frog blast the vent core.
  12. Penis? by jav1231 · · Score: 1, Funny

    You mean, like a penis? So they're in effect dickheads?
    "He's going to be very popular with the ladies!"

  13. Really? You're the same as a male narwhal? by dreadpiratemark · · Score: 5, Funny

    While you're comparing yourself to a male narwhal, do you also do this (from TFA): "[the] tactile sense might explain why...two males gently rub tusks together"?

  14. Re:Really? You're the same as a male narwhal? by TallMatthew · · Score: 4, Funny
    While you're comparing yourself to a male narwhal, do you also do this (from TFA): "[the] tactile sense might explain why...two males gently rub tusks together"?

    Not that there's anything wrong with that.

    This just in ... Texas has just passed a constitutional amendment prohibiting narwhals from getting married.

  15. Re:Narwhal, not Narwhale by Legion303 · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Does anybody proofread these submissions?"

    Welcome to Slashdot!

  16. Wifi Tusks by AndroidCat · · Score: 2, Funny

    Aliens? Nah. The tusks are antenne for wireless communications for sharing whale songs among the Narwhal pods. The protocol? Why naturally their Pods use Bluetooth...

    --
    One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
  17. Of course they are by Quiet_Desperation · · Score: 1, Funny
    If they feel pressure on it, they think, "Oh, I apprear to have run into something."

    Actually, they think, "Screeeeee wooooooooo hummmm hummm eeeeeerrrrr ooooooooooo."

    It also picks up AM radio, but some would says that's not exactly an evolutionary advantage (thus proving the ID theory).

    I actually have a Narwhal anecdote: I was at a theater when I was a kid, and the movie (some adventure thing) had a quick scene with a Narwhal in it. The lady behind me leans over to her kid and says, "See? That's a Narwhal. It has a harpoon in it."

    Still haven't figured that one out. She knew it was a Narwhal, but then thought the tusk was a harpoon... I dunno...

  18. Re:Then what we need is ... by AndroidCat · · Score: 2, Funny

    Why not just get them to switch to sugarless codfish?

    --
    One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
  19. Re:But is his tusk as big as mine? by merpaholic · · Score: 2, Funny

    I want to give you a cookie, you have sex! Wow! Could you please, good sir, enlighten us poor, socially awkward Slashdot readers as to how you accomplish such a feat? So far I have only been able to steal girls hair and giggle at rated-R movies while masturbating alone in my mom's basement on a Saturday night. I would give anything to learn how someone so obviously gifted at successful relationships manages to be such a sexual paragon while also having time enough to post about it. Please do tell, I await with bated breath and lonely heart.

  20. Re:Really? You're the same as a male narwhal? by DarthVain · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hey what happens under the ice.... STAYS under the ice!