Narwhal

If it's not enough that a Narwhal's tusk is a thing of immense beauty, it also has a really incredible function:

"Nweeia has discovered that the narwhal's tooth has hydrodynamic sensor capabilities. Ten million tiny nerve connections tunnel their way from the central nerve of the narwhal tusk to its outer surface. Though seemingly rigid and hard, the tusk is like a membrane with an extremely sensitive surface, capable of detecting changes in water temperature, pressure, and particle gradients. Because these whales can detect particle gradients in water, they are capable of discerning the salinity of the water, which could help them survive in their Arctic ice environment. It also allows the whales to detect water particles characteristic of the fish that constitute their diet. There is no comparison in nature in tooth form, expression, and functional adaptation."

(source: http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2005/12.15/01-narwhal.html )



(source: http://www.doobybrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/narwhal-in-water-blue.jpg )