A shark tooth is one of numerous teeth in the shark’s mouth. Different sharks can be classified on the basis of the teeth they have and the functions that such teeth perform in consuming their prey. There are four basic types of shark teeth: dense flattened, needle-like, pointed lower with triangle upper, and non-functional.
Sharks have a complete set of teeth when they are born. These teeth are modified placoid scales with an outer layer of enamel, dentine and a central pulp cavity; similar to humans. (Whitenack, L.B (2008) The number and rows in each jaw vary from 5 to 15 and may differ from species to species. Some sharks like the bull shark can have up to 50 rows. The skin of gums in sharks acts as a conveyer belt, which arranges an easy replacement of the lost teeth by developing new ones. As a front tooth is broken or worn down, it falls out and is replaced by a tooth in the next row. (Dharma Beach Bum) Sharks may have up to 3,000 teeth at one time, losing tens of thousands of teeth during their lifetime. Sharks do not have roots in their teeth for attachment to gums therefore most of the time are stuck to their prey or come out when eating. Sharks teeth come in many
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(Dharma Beach Bum) In Renaissance accounts, large, triangular fossil teeth embedded in rock formations were thought to be petrified tongues of dragons and snakes, known as “tongue stones” or “glossopetrae. Glossopetrae was thought to be a cure for poisons. Many noblemen and royalty wore these “tongue stones” as pendants for good luck charms. This was corrected in 1611 by a naturalist named Fabio Colonna, who recognized them as ancient shark teeth. (Haven, Kendall
Sharks have a complete set of teeth when they are born. These teeth are modified placoid scales with an outer layer of enamel, dentine and a central pulp cavity; similar to humans. (Whitenack, L.B (2008) The number and rows in each jaw vary from 5 to 15 and may differ from species to species. Some sharks like the bull shark can have up to 50 rows. The skin of gums in sharks acts as a conveyer belt, which arranges an easy replacement of the lost teeth by developing new ones. As a front tooth is broken or worn down, it falls out and is replaced by a tooth in the next row. (Dharma Beach Bum) Sharks may have up to 3,000 teeth at one time, losing tens of thousands of teeth during their lifetime. Sharks do not have roots in their teeth for attachment to gums therefore most of the time are stuck to their prey or come out when eating. Sharks teeth come in many
different …show more content…
(Dharma Beach Bum) In Renaissance accounts, large, triangular fossil teeth embedded in rock formations were thought to be petrified tongues of dragons and snakes, known as “tongue stones” or “glossopetrae. Glossopetrae was thought to be a cure for poisons. Many noblemen and royalty wore these “tongue stones” as pendants for good luck charms. This was corrected in 1611 by a naturalist named Fabio Colonna, who recognized them as ancient shark teeth. (Haven, Kendall