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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.'"
It's quite sobering to realise that they're sensory organs when you consider that poachers hack them off. :o(
That must hurt like a bastard - think more like ripping a tooth out than clipping a fingernail...
But why is it only the whale bulls (are male whales called bulls in english to?) that have these then? If they have a purpose beside assisting in reproduction, for fighting or impressing the females then why would not the females also have them?
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I wonder what the noodly one had in mind when he created these creatures.
Perhaps that's the Narwhal equivalent of flossing after meals? With all those nerve endings and no dental plan, getting a bad cavity would hurt.
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So two guys showing affection for each other is automatically homosexual? How narrow-minded. In many cultures (mostly outside the U.S.) men hug and kiss as greetings... nothing sexual about it.
You mean like a tooth?
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