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Why Do Narwhals Rub Their Tusks?

Narwhals are special whales that live in cold Arctic waters. They have a long, twisty tusk that looks like a unicorn horn sticking out of their heads! But did you know that narwhals need to keep their tusks clean?

Just like how you wash your hands or brush your teeth to stay clean, narwhals rub their tusks against things in the ocean to clean them. They might rub their tusks against rough ice or rocks under the water. This helps get rid of any dirt, tiny animals, or seaweed that stick to their tusks.

So, by rubbing their tusks, narwhals keep them shiny and healthy, just like how you take care of your toys or clothes!


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