The animal kingdom is full of strange surprises, and teeth are no exception. Some animals grow new teeth all their lives. Others have no teeth at all. A few have teeth in places you’d never expect.
Here are some of our favorite animal teeth facts to share with your family.
Teeth That Never Stop Growing
Tusks Are Giant Teeth
Elephant tusks, walrus tusks, and even the long spiral horn of a narwhal are all teeth. They keep growing throughout the animal’s life. Animals use them to dig for food, strip bark, and defend themselves.
Horses, Rabbits, and Rodents Keep Growing Too
Horses chew grass and hay all day, which wears their teeth down. Luckily, their teeth keep growing to replace what wears away. Rabbits, rats, and beavers work the same way. That’s why rodents gnaw so much. Chewing keeps their teeth from getting too long.
Elephants Get Six Sets of Molars
Humans get two sets of teeth in a lifetime. Elephants get six sets of molars. Each molar can weigh several pounds.
Teeth That Fight Off Cavities
Sharks Have Built-In Fluoride
Shark teeth contain fluoride, the same mineral in your toothpaste. That makes them very hard for bacteria to damage. Sharks also lose and replace teeth constantly, so a worn tooth never sticks around for long.
Dogs Have Less Acidic Saliva
Dog saliva is less acidic than ours, which helps protect their teeth from cavities. But dogs still get gum disease and tartar buildup, so caring for your pet’s oral health still matters.
Beavers Have Orange Teeth
A beaver’s front teeth are bright orange. The color comes from iron in their enamel, which makes the teeth strong enough to chew through trees.
Animals With Surprising Tooth Counts
Snails Have Thousands of Tiny Teeth
Snails have a ribbon-like tongue called a radula, covered in thousands of tiny teeth. They use it to scrape food off rocks and leaves. Like sharks, snails replace their teeth as they wear out.
Giraffes Have 32 Teeth, Just Like Us
Giraffes and adult humans both have 32 teeth. The difference is that giraffes have no upper front teeth. They grab leaves with their long tongues and lips instead.
Pigs, Dolphins, and Armadillos
Pigs have 44 teeth. Some armadillos have close to 100. Many dolphins have dozens of cone-shaped teeth, and they only get one set for life. Scientists can even estimate a dolphin’s age by counting growth rings in its teeth, much like the rings of a tree.
Animals With No Teeth at All
Some animals get by without any teeth:
- Birds swallow small stones that help grind food inside their stomachs.
- Baleen whales have brush-like plates made of keratin, the same material as your fingernails. They filter tiny shrimp from the water.
- Turtles use sharp, beak-like mouths. Their ancient ancestors did have teeth.
- Toads have no teeth, while most frogs have small teeth on their upper jaw. It’s one way to tell them apart.
Fangs Built for Venom
Venomous snakes have fangs that work like tiny needles. The fangs connect to venom glands, and the venom flows through them into the snake’s prey. Not every snake bite contains venom, though. A bite without venom is called a “dry bite.”
What Animal Teeth Teach Us About Our Own
Many animals can regrow or replace their teeth. People can’t. You get one set of baby teeth and one set of adult teeth, and your tooth enamel can’t grow back once it’s gone. That makes daily brushing, flossing, and regular checkups the best way to keep your smile for life.
Want more fun facts? Check out these interesting facts about your own teeth.