The Most Interesting Teeth in the Animal Kingdom
Almost every species in the animal kingdom has teeth in one form or another; from the sharp canines of predatory carnivores, to the wide, flat teeth of cows, sheep and other herbivores. Animal teeth come in all shapes and sizes, and there are plenty of species that possess incredible gnashers, from the rock hard teeth of a beaver to the never-ending teeth of a shark. If you want to know more about some of the owners of the most interesting teeth in the animal kingdom, read on for our roundup below.
The terrifying star of ‘Jaws’ is the largest predatory fish on earth, and great white sharks have around 3,000 teeth at any one time, arranged in rows along their upper and lower jaws. Sharks possess constantly renewable teeth; if one falls out then another simply slides forward to take its place and a new tooth is grown. It’s estimated that a great white will go through a whopping 30,000 teeth in its lifetime.
Hippos have the largest teeth of any land mammal, and their canines can grow as long as 1.8 feet. A hippo’s teeth sharpen themselves as they are ground together, and their enlarged canines and incisor are used for combat. Teeth are particularly large in the males of the species, and a hippo’s teeth grow continuously throughout their lifespan.
These reptiles have the strongest bite force in the world, exerting an incredible force of 3,700 pounds per square inch. They have a tiny amount of teeth in comparison to other animals such as sharks, with an average of 66 teeth per crocodile. They also regenerate teeth quickly however, with a new tooth growing every one to two months on average.
Beaver teeth are incredibly strong, in part due to all the iron in the food they eat. The iron strengthens their teeth to give them the power they need to cut down wood for their dams, and it also turns their teeth a fetching shade of orange! While very strong, beaver teeth still get worn down by regular chewing, so their teeth are constantly growing.
Narwhals are often referred to as the ‘unicorns of the sea’ due to the single horn protruding from their head, however this ‘horn’ is actually a tusk - an elongated canine tooth which protrudes through the upper lip. These tusks are mainly seen in male narwhals (females can possess them, but this is rare), and they can grow up to ten feet long.
Animal teeth may be incredible, but at Manor Road Dental we’re more concerned with caring for human teeth! Based in Swansea, we offer a full range of dental services, including general dentistry, dental plans, cosmetic dentistry, aligners, oral hygiene and more. For more information about any of our services or to arrange an appointment, give us a call today or visit our website.
