Official Kids Mag www.kidscoop.com © Vicki Whiting February 2022
3
The
musk
deer
of
Asia
has
long
fangs
instead
of
antlers.
With
a
face
that
looks
a
little
like
a
kangaroo,
and
teeth
a
little
like
Dracula's,
musk
deer
are
herbivores
(plant
eaters).
It
uses
its
long
teeth
to
scrape
off
moss
and
other
vegetation
to
eat.
Sometimes
called
the
"unicorn
of
the
sea,"
this
small,
13-foot
(4m)-long
whale
has
a
"spear-tooth"
atop
its
head.
Scientists
think
this
could
be
used
for
protection
and
to
break
up
ice
in
the
whale's
arctic
habitat.
The
narwhal's
"horn"
is
actually
a
right
canine
tooth
that
grows
forwards
through
the
animal's
forehead.
The hippopotamus it the third largest
land animal and it has the largest
canines of any land animal. It has
two sword-like teeth that grow to be
16 inches (40cm) in length.
other
on
to
eat.
getation
The
babirusa
have
teeth
which
are
used
as
weapons.
Native
to
Indonesia,
these
"Deer
Pigs"
have
massive
lower
canines
that
curl,
fang-like,
over
the
upper
jaw.
Their
upper
canines
also
come
in
backwards,
pairing
with
the
lower
tusks
and
curling
back
towards
the
head.
The
babirusa
must
grind
their
teeth
down
as
they
can
grow
into
the
animal's
skull,
killing
the
beast.
February is Dental Health Month, so it's a good month for reminders
about brushing, flossing, eating right and doing
everything to take care of your teeth.
Of course, people aren't the only ones with teeth. The animal kingdom is
full of animals with weird and sometimes terrifying teeth. Here are just a
few. What would you do if you saw these in your neighborhood?
Photo: John Connell
13