Did You Know?

Within a week, we are going to have End of Block 3 Examination. In other words, we are at the phase where study is our top priority. Doesn’t mean that this whole time study is not our main priority. It is just that during this study week, (not really a study week I guess because we still have classes to attend) there are things that will be put aside for a while so that more time allocated for us to study.

About this ‘things that will be put aside’, blogging is one of it. For sure there are not many people who want to spend time updating their blog if there are pile of notes untouched yet. Actually, there are many reports of our activities not yet been written in this blog since the ones who have the qualification to write them want to write them later. So, for this week’s post, I am going to share with you some fun facts regarding animal teeth. Just a light post filled with amazing pictures.


1. Pocket Gopher
The teeth of the Pocket Gopher grow up to 15" a year! By continually gnawing, they wear them down and they stay the same size. Rats, mice and your hamster among others have teeth that grow continually. If you have one as a pet, it must have wood to gnaw on to shorten its teeth, or it can die.

Pocket Gopher

Credit : http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/sabl/2007/Apr/pocket_gopher.jpg

2. Snail

Their mouths are no larger than the head of a pin, but can have over 25,000 teeth – which are located on the tongue!

Snail
Credit : http://www.nature-gifts.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Snails-for-a-snail-farm.jpg

3. Elephant

The elephant's molar is about 7" square.

Elephant
Credit : http://pgbooks.ru/upload/medialibrary/295/295e7d587d3191a66a2ffe587c063ac1.jpg

4. Rabbit

Almost all mammals have primary and permanent dentitions, but bunnies typically lose their baby teeth in utero.

Rabbit
Credit : https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPp6ieDB0nZzkNXxpz7O5oTKJvUlkFs6wOukmH5TLbln8jZ3LUz5zHUEeJxlTCirQLv_-g8sgvkPqSV7ymh79vfRtQ0anLe_J-o5lmLZU56dnoSadnjwpsIuSrN8UKTAx-HxWGrzSqNQy/s1600/Hdhut!Saimi+Khan+(10).jpg

5. Saber-toothed Deer

Yes—saber-toothed deer. The thought is so strange and terrifying that one might be tempted to dismiss it as fantasy. In fact, several species of ungulate known as “musk deer”, native to Eurasia, possess massive fangs, which develop from outgrowths of the canine tooth. Musk deer fangs extend several inches past their lower jaw. Unlike the infamous cats of the distant past, musk deer go to battle against other males with their canine sabers, sinking them into each other during mating disputes. The creatures are genetically distinct from true deer (cervids), and are named after the powerful scent they produce to mark their territory.

Saber-toothed Deer
Credit : http://www.awesomeoff.com/images/entries/mainview/water_deer2.jpg

6. Goosander

At first glance, the goosander looks like a typical waterfowl; but when feeding ducks at the pond, you might not want to offer your hand to the members of this unusual species. As the largest of the “Sawbills” of the genus Mergus, the goosander inhabits rivers, estuaries, and park lakes throughout Eurasia, Canada, and the USA. Extending from its bill are more than one hundred and fifty razor-sharp teeth, curved backwards, which can slice through the bodies of fish like a hot knife in butter. A bird with teeth is always going to be an anomaly—but even more eerily, this dinosaurian “devil duck” may at times saw up small mammals, and even other birds, as though it were some form of aquatic raptor.

Goosander
Credit : http://i0.wp.com/listverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/8389713722_698cf9af5c_z.jpg?resize=632%2C548

7. Sheepshead

The Sheepshead is a common fish in North America and a target for many fishermen. What many people don't realize, however, is how strange their teeth are! These fish have human-like teeth, which is odd, but they also have a row of teeth on the roof of their mouths. The teeth of this fish are relatively blunt, so they are used mainly for cracking open clams and oysters. These, along with crustaceans, are the main diet of the Sheepshead.

Sheepshead
Credit : http://lazerhorse.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/sheepshead-fish-human-teeth.jpg

8. Baleen Whale

This set of “teeth” is actually more like a giant moustache inside of the whale's mouth. Also, like most pieces of facial hair, it gets food caught in it. This way, when the whales open their mouths and take in water, krill and other goodies are left behind for them to eat.

Baleen Whale
Credit : http://www.oddee.com/_media/imgs/articles2/a98432_teeth_8.jpg