askvity

Do any animals regrow teeth?

Published in Animal Teeth Regeneration 2 mins read

Yes, many animals regrow or constantly replace teeth.

Several animals have the ability to regrow or replace their teeth throughout their lives. This is in contrast to humans, who only have two sets of teeth. Here's a breakdown:

  • Rodents: According to the provided reference, Rodents' teeth grow all their lives. This continuous growth helps them cope with the wear and tear from gnawing.

  • Reptiles: The reference specifies that Reptiles' and sharks' teeth are replaced constantly, before they wear out. Crocodiles are a prime example. The reference states A crocodile replaces its teeth over forty times in a lifetime..

  • Sharks: As mentioned above, Reptiles' and sharks' teeth are replaced constantly, before they wear out. This ensures they always have a sharp set of teeth for hunting.

  • Elephants: Elephants' tusks aren't regrown in the same way as teeth in other animals, but they are specialized incisors that continue to grow. The reference states, Elephants' tusks are specialized incisors for digging food up, fighting and lifting.

Animal Group Teeth Regeneration/Replacement
Rodents Teeth grow continuously
Reptiles Teeth constantly replaced
Sharks Teeth constantly replaced
Elephants Tusks (incisors) grow continuously

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