Even without actual unicorns or a Pegasus, nature produces some freakish animals.
The platypus brings together some unusual characteristics of both mammals and birds. The world’s ugliest dog reminds us that even pets are a bit weird. Even a freaky looking Bambi can grab our attention.
But there are beasts swimming beneath the ice encasing the Arctic Circle that seem straight out of a fairy tale. The narwhals are rarely observed, since they never swim South to warmer climates, choosing to always stay under the ice caps.
Summer does provide a rare glimpse of the “unicorn of the sea” as breaks in the ice allow the narwhals to rise to the surface. During this time of year, the horned males can be seen using their long appendages to fight for supremacy, like knights jousting for a damsel’s hand. The winner gets to choose his favorite lady narwhal with which to help keep the species going. The males’ battles can create serious injuries and males have been spotted with pieces of broken horns jutting from their skulls.
I bet the Inuit boy who was trapped on an iceberg with polar bears didn’t really have time to look for jousting sea beasts.
Brainz has lots more pics and information about the mysterious narwhals.