A new mathematical model has been developed by researchers to better understand Narwhal behaviour, decerning patterns in seemingly chaotic movement. The narwhal (Monodon monoceros) is a small whale that inhabits the artic ocean, known to take long deep dives of more than 1,800 metres below sea level. However, any understanding of this behaviour has always eluded scientists until now. 

The movements of a pod of satellite-tagged narwhals over 83 days was analysed using a maths-based model that uses chaos theory to find patterns in irregular and complex movements. Findings showed that narwhals tend to take infrequent deeper dives around solar noon and rapid shallower and more intense dives at night. This is potentially due to nocturnal hunting of squid, who come closer to the surface at night, and resting behaviour during the day.  

Findings also linked deeper and more intense dives to the presence of sea ice, which has already been strongly associated with narwhal life cycles as both hunting grounds and places of refuge. 

Narwhals are considered to be some of the mostly highly threatened animals in the artic due to a variety of human activities such as hunting, climate change, and noise pollution associated with oil and gas mining. The effect of climate change being particularly pronounced due to the loss of sea ice where narwhals hunt and take refuge, which NASA reports is shrinking by 13% per decade.

This model has further applications in the better understanding of other complex animal behaviour and the challenges these species face, particularly those under significant threat from climate change and human activity, as the narwhal is. Researchers intend for this new method of mapping and labelling long term data on behaviour to help inform policy to help protect endangered species.  

Orignal article by Liz Kimbrough.

Find the link to the original article here: https://news.mongabay.com/2022/09/the-mystery-of-narwhal-behavior-arctic-climate-change/