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.'"

15 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. 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
  5. Me too by SpaceAdmiral · · Score: 5, Funny

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

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

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

  7. 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!
  8. 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.
  9. 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"?

  10. 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.

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

    "Does anybody proofread these submissions?"

    Welcome to Slashdot!

  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.

  15. 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!