The Narwhal (Monodon monoceros) is a medium-sized Arctic cetacean. It is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon and Zoo Tycoon 2.
Description[]
The narwhal is a medium-sized toothed whale closely related to the Beluga. The two species are comparable in size, reaching a maximum length of 5.5m (18ft), although the narwhal can be identified by its mottled-brown coloration. The most distinguishing feature of the narwhal is its large helix-spiralled tusk, which is a modified left canine tooth. The tusk is typically only found in males and can reach up to 3.1m (10.2ft) in length. Its exact purpose is unclear; the most widely accepted theory is that males use their tusks to display their breeding status to other narwhals. This theory is further supported after a study published in 2020 found that narwhal tusks scale disproportionally as the animal reaches maturity, larger males having disproportionally larger tusks. Additionally, drone footage captured in 2017 found that tusked narwhals will tap Arctic cod with their tusk to stun it and make it easier to catch. Another theory is that the tusks may act as some sort of sensory organ, however this theory is hotly debated and not well supported.
The narwhal is found in the waters around the Arctic Circle and feature several adaptations for their climate, such as the lack of a dorsal fin that may help them swim more easily under ice. Its diet varies across the seasons; whilst it typically eats Arctic cod and Greenland halibut during the summer, it will dive under dense pack ice during the winter to hunt for flatfish. Although narwhals are well adapted to the Arctic, many individuals may die after getting trapped by forming sea ice.
Zoo Tycoon[]
The narwhal is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon and was added as part of the Marine Mania expansion pack. It must be researched in order to be adopted.
Like all Marine Mania animals, the Narwhal is an Aquatic animal. It is a social animal, requiring at least four individuals in its tank to meet its minimum social group size. The narwhal requires a deep tank of at least 5 units and its favorite foliage is Sea Lettuce. Additionally, it requires a small amount of rocks, some of which must be Small Rocks that are clustered into a couple of tiles to maximize its habitat suitability.
Zoo Tycoon 2[]
The narwhal is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon 2 and was added as part of the Marine Mania expansion pack. In Campaign and Challenge mode, it is available for adoption once a zoo reaches a rating of 3 stars.
The narwhal is a Tundra animal, but can tolerate the Pelagic biome as well as the Coastal biome to a lesser extent. Narwhals are piscivores and eat fish as well as squid. They will also eat the Arctic cod and yellow-fin tuna enrichment items if placed in a tank. Furthermore, tusked narwhals will play with the pursuit ball. The narwhal will also play with the Pirate Mast, as well as use the treasure chest bubbler if placed in their exhibit. For shelter, the narwhal only uses the kelp bed. The narwhal has two variant skins, one is a darker, purplish colour while the other is a more brown colour.
 zootycoon.com Description
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| The name narwhal means “corpse whale” in Old Norse. Narwhals live in the deep cold waters of the high Arctic. A close relation of the beluga, narwhals have only two teeth, both in the upper jaw. The left tooth of the adult male looks like a tusk and grows up to 3 m (about 10 ft) long, spiraling counterclockwise out of the male’s head. Narwhals socialize in small pods of about 12 animals that are part of larger herds. They migrate seasonally as the ice edge moves. Fish, squid, and shrimp make up their diet. |
Model Variants[]
Image of a tusked female narwhal and a double-tusked male narwhal.
The narwhal is the only animal in Zoo Tycoon 2 to have model variants. These variants cannot be obtained through adoption and can only be obtained though random chance when a baby narwhal grows up, both variants having a 25% chance of occurring.
There are two model variants, one for each gender. The first being a tusked female and the other being a male with two tusks. Just like normal males, both of these variants are able to use the pursuit ball as enrichment, which the tuskless females cannot use. Furthermore, both model variants have a slightly higher viewing bonus than their normal, adult counterparts, having the same viewing bonus as baby narwhals at 55.
Since the model variants can only be obtained through breeding, the model variants are not able to have variant skins without using mods.
Gallery[]
Zoo Tycoon[]
Zoo Tycoon 2[]
Trivia[]
- In Zoo Tycoon, The narwhal, Harbor Porpoise, and Mermaid have coding in reference to show performances. This may imply that these animals were intended to perform in shows at one point.
- In real-life, tusked female narwhals and double-tusked male narwhals occur much more rarely. Around 1 in 500 male narwhals may grow two tusks, whilst only 15% of females will grow a tusk.
- When tusked, female narwhals occur, their tusk is often noticeably smaller than those found in males.