Strange and Unusual: 8 of The Wildest Teeth in the Animal Kingdom

When we think of teeth, what usually comes to mind is the ordinary ones in our own mouths – relatively small, unremarkable, and perfect for chewing. But did you know that the animal kingdom is home to some of the most bizarre teeth in the world?

From razor sharp fangs to teeth that never stop growing, let’s explore some of the most fascinating dentition that nature has to offer.

1. The Narwhal: The Unicorn of the Sea

The most identifiable feature of the Narwhal is their 10-foot-long spiraled tusks. While this may look like a giant horn, it is actually an elongated tooth! Protruding out of the animals upper lip, this tooth has nerve endings that allow it to act as a sensory organ, and it’s even used in mating rituals and social interactions.

2. Elephants and their Majestic Tusks

These famous tusks are actually modified incisors that elephants use to forage, dig for water, and perform defensive displays. Made of ivory, which is primarily made of dentin, they continue to grow throughout an elephant’s life.

3. Dragonfish and their “Tongue Teeth”

These eerie looking deep-sea predators possess a set of backward facing teeth on their tongues, making it near-impossible for prey to escape once captured. Since they reside in the dark depths of the ocean, the transparent material of these teeth allow them to remain hidden and engage in stealthier attacks.

4. Great White Sharks and their Never-ending Teeth

It’s no surprise that Great Whites land on the “greatest fears” list of many (thanks Jaws) with their 7 (!) rows of teeth. Their 300 or so teeth are equipped for gripping and tearing through flesh – and are continuously replaced. When a tooth is worn down or falls out, another one moves in to take its place. Thanks to this cycle of never-ending teeth, a single shark can go through as many as 30,000 teeth throughout it’s life.

5. The Armadillo: Teeth That Don’t Stop Growing…in the Wrong Direction

Armadillos have unusual peg-like molars and premolars that lack enamel (the hard outer structure found in mammalian teeth). Without this protective enamel layer, their teeth easily wear and attempt to compensate through continuous growth. Unfortunately for armadillos, they often times grow backwards, causing dental misalignment that results in awkward chewing.

6. The Vampire Bat: Blood-Suckers

These tiny bats have teeth that are well adapted for their blood-sucking diet. Possessing razor sharp canines, these bats are able to make tiny incisions in the skin of mammals, birds, and reptiles while completely evading detection.

7. Piranha: The Fish with Razor-Sharp Shredders

Most of us are already familiar with these notorious river-dwelling fish – and their teeth are just as famous as they are. Their powerful, interlocking teeth resemble a saw blade and are capable of easily slicing through flesh thanks to their ability to continuously sharpen themselves each time they bite.

8. The Sheepshead Fish and their “Human Teeth”

Last but not least, the sheepshead fish have already made their rounds on social media thanks to their human-like incisors, molars, and canines. The sheepshead’s teeth are well-adapted to crush their food sources of crustaceans and mollusks. Do yourself a favor and google these guys – and no, the images are not photoshopped.

Final Thoughts

These uniquely adapted teeth and their owners reveal nature’s incredible creativity. From the spiraled tooth of narwhals to the armadillos’ ever growing dentition, each set of teeth serves a purpose for survival.

And it’s not just our animal counterparts that have evolved to meet the challenges of their environments, but humans as well. Have you ever wondered about the evolution behind human teeth? Check out this article if you’re curious!

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