|
Post by Die Fledermaus on Feb 20, 2007 23:48:14 GMT -4
Here is a to a very interesting article on rat teeth; all rodent teeth are naturally yellow: www.ratbehavior.org/Teeth.htm>> Question - I have had many people ask me, while I was showing off a beaver skull, why they have yellow-orange incisors? I know beavers are rodents, and their incisors are constantly growing, and I have noticed this in all rodents also. But why is there a discoloration of the incisors (only) and not the other molars? Thanks! ---------------------------------------- The incisors are composed of two different materials, the outer, colored portion is harder, the whiter inner portion is softer. When the animals chew the softer material wears away faster than the colored, harder part so that the teeth are constantly sharpened as they wear and grow. I assume that the difference in color is simply due to the different composition << www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/zoo00/zoo00421.htmFrom Wikipedia: >> The mineral distribution in rodent enamel is different from that of monkeys, dogs, pigs, and humans. In horse teeth, the enamel and dentin layers are intertwined, which increases the strength and decreases the wear rate of the teeth. <<
|
|