Stalking the great white whale tooth

SHARON, Conn. (AP) — The narwhal is one of the most mythical and unusual members of the whale family, with its left front tooth, or tusk, that juts about 8 feet into the air, resembling an ivory sword. The mammal has inspired the unicorn legend, along with other tales. It has also confounded experts.

“The narwhal has baffled scientists for hundreds of years,” said Dr. Martin Nweeia, a Sharon dentist, who has been on a 13-year mission to study the shy, elusive whale. He has led four expeditions and collaborated on eight to the whale’s Arctic habitat at the northern tip of Baffin Island in Canada.