PATHFINDER: A bibliography/webliography to help begin research (Grades 1-3)
Welcome to the Narwhals the Unicorns of the Sea Research Guide. Here you’ll find books, websites, videos, databases and more to get you started on learning all about narwhals.
Narwhals are nicknamed the “unicorns of the sea” because of their long tusks. These strange and beautiful creatures are hardly ever seen by humans, since they live in the most remote and coldest parts of the ocean. Narwhals can’t be held in captivity, so much about narwhals is still a mystery. Read on to learn what we do know about these amazing creatures.
ON THE BookSHELVES
One great way to learn about any subject is through books. If you have a library card, you can put these awesome narwhal books on hold at your local library:
Nonfiction books (about facts and real events) are a great way to learn about animals. In Narwhal: A Day in the Life: Polar Animals you’ll find amazing photos of narwhals in their natural habitat. Follow along as a narwhal eats, sleeps, and cares for its young.
If you love facts, you might already know about the Magic Treehouse Fact Tracker series. In Narwhals and Other Whales Jack and Annie have just come back from another adventure and have a lot of questions! Why are narwhals nicknamed the unicorn of the sea?
Now what if you woke up tomorrow morning with a narwhal tusk? What animal superpower would this give you? You can learn all about the amazing narwhal in What if You Could Spy Like a Narwhal? by Sandra Markle.
If you like fiction books, try Narwhal Unicorn of the Sea, by Ben Clanton. Narwhal and Jelly don’t have a lot in common, but they become fast friends exploring the whole wide ocean together. Check out the other books in the Narwhal and Jelly Book series too.
Here are some other titles to check out:
It’s a Narwhal! by Mari C. Schuh. Learn all about narwhals, the mysterious, magnificent, mammals of the sea.
Third Grade Mermaid and the Narwhals by Peter Raymundo. Cora sets out on an adventure to prove that narwhals are real.
Probably A Narwhal by Shelley Moore Thomas. A girl’s bedroom is an amazing mess and she swears a narwhal did it.
Not Quite Narwhal by Jessica Sima. Kelp is not like the other narwhals, but he’s not sure why.
Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt by Ben Clanton. Three new stories with Narwhal’s new superhero alter-ego.
Platypus Police Squad: Never Say Narwhal by Jarrett Krosoczka. Follow Zengo, O’Malley and Cooper as they try to solve their latest case involving a narwhal.
Narwhal I’m Around by Aaron Reynolds. Rex Dexter is cursed and dead pets keep showing up in his bedroom wanting him to solve their murders.
Narwhal on a Sunny Night by Mary Pope Osborne. Jack and Annie help the famous explorer Leif Erikson save a narwhal.
To search on your own use the library catalog with these keywords: narwhal, whales, marine animals, animals-arctic region, and animals-polar region. Or, using the Dewey Decimal classification, search for 599.543 and 599.51.
ON THE INTERNET
Another great way to gather narwhal facts is to head online and search using these keywords: narwhal, whales, marine animals, animals-arctic region, and animals-polar region.
Or, you can start at these expert sites:
Ocean Conservancy
World Wildlife Fund
National Geographic Kids
While you’re online, check out some of these narwhal videos:
Get up close to a narwhal!
Find out how scientist think narwhals use their tusks.
Learn little known facts about narwhals.
PRIMARY SOURCES
Researchers look for primary sources (firsthand accounts) when they’re learning about a new subject. In this way, research can feel like a treasure hunt. An example of a primary source for narwhal research is this collection of narwhal signals and whistles recorded by scientists.
Check out these other narwhal primary sources:
Watch researchers’ video evidence of narwhals using their tusks for feeding.
Watch scientists at work tracking narwhals using satellite tags.
Want to know more?
Use your library card to access these easy to use databases to gather even more narwhal facts:
Gale in Context: Elementary
SIRS Discover
Scholastic Go!
Ten Awesome Facts About Narwhals
1. Narwhals are nicknamed “unicorn of the sea.”
2. They are one of the planet’s most mysterious marine mammals.
3. A narwhal’s tusk is actually a large tooth.
4. Narwhal tusks were said to be the horns of unicorns and to possess magical powers.
5. The narwhal is one of the deepest diving whales, diving over one mile below the surface.
6. They can hold their breath for 25 minutes.
7. Narwhals are rarely ever seen by humans, since they live in the coldest parts of the ocean.
8. A narwhal’s heart slows to only 4 beats per minute when it’s frightened.
9. Narwhals are conscious breathers, which means they have to remember to breathe.
10. They are about 50% body fat and their blubber is 3 to 4 inches thick.
Bonus Fact: Narwhals taste like hazelnuts! Narwhal blubber is a delicacy to the Inuit.
D. Finnin/© AMNH
HEAD OUTSIDE: New York City Adventure
Sometimes the best way to gather facts is in person. Learn about the drama of the undersea world in The Hall of Ocean Life, featuring a 94-foot-long blue whale, at the American Museum of Natural History.
BONUS NARWHAL SONG
“Narwhals, Narwhals
Swimming in the ocean
Causing a commotion
Coz they are so awesome”
– Mr. Weebl, aka Jonti Picking
Good luck in your quest for narwhal facts!
– Ms. Vela, Children’s Librarian