The sea mammal with a large protruding tusk is the narwhal. Narwhals are toothed whales that are found in the Arctic regions of Canada, Greenland, Norway, and Russia. The males of this species have a long, straight tusk that can grow up to 10 feet long. The tusk is actually a modified tooth, which grows through the upper lip and forms a spiral shape. The tusk is used for a variety of purposes, including fighting over females and breaking through ice to create breathing holes. The narwhal's tusk has been the subject of much fascination and has been written about in numerous works of literature and poetry.