National Geographic News, Reporting Your World Daily

Monday, November 23, 2009

Photo: "Sexy" Tusks Led to New Whale Species?


Email to a Friend	<< Back to Full Story

The two curled tusklike teeth of the male beaked whale (breaking the surface of the water above) evolved to attract females as well as to battle males, according to new research.

The unusual tusks, found on the outside of male's mouth, have baffled scientists because they are not used for capturing prey.

Photograph courtesy Scott Baker/Oregon State University