3. Teeth of elephant (IMAGE)
Caption
Voles (1), horses (2), and elephants (3)—each vastly different—share one simple trait: very tall and resistant teeth, sharp enough to tackle the hardest plants. Imagine a row of kitchen graters tucked inside an animal’s mouth—this is essentially how the back teeth of these three species work. Their molars are covered in hard enamel that forms tall, wavy ridges with sharp edges. As they chew, their lower jaws slide back and forth, and these ridges finely slice through grass, just like cutting vegetables. It is an elegant and effective design that helps them get the most out of every mouthful.
Credit
Thomas Quine (CC-BY-2.0, cropped)
Usage Restrictions
Credit must be given to the creator.
License
CC BY