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Why does cow and horse have a gap between front teeth and back grinding teeth?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Answer 1:
Because the teeth that used to grow there were "weeded out" by millions of years of evolution in mammalian herbivores. Cows naturally have this space; however most horses are still born with canines, and have these canines extracted by a vet or a person qualified to do equine dentistry.
*Note: Cows are true ruminants, which are animals that have a four-chambered stomach. Bison, elk, deer, antelope, wildebeest, giraffes, goats, sheep, muskox, etc. are animals that are also true ruminants. Horses are not true ruminants, as they only have a simple stomach, and the fermentation process occurs in the cecum; thus equines are called Pseudo-ruminants, or Hind-Gut Fermentors.
Answer 2:
That space in most herbivores is called the interdental space.
Cuspid teeth - "canines" - are for tearing flesh. Ancestors of herbivores had cuspids but it has been several million years since the herbivores branched off and only ate plants. Through evolution, organs and body parts that are not needed for survival gradually disappear. These are called "vestigial" organs or parts. That simply means that they are no longer needed by the species.
Male horses are born with cuspids - presumably they have to do with fighting. They have 4 or 5. Cuspids are nearer the front than the back - nearer to the incisors than to the molars. About 1/4 of females are born with one or more cuspids.
The term, "wolf teeth" is a bit of a misnomer - they have nothing to do with cuspids ("canines"), despite the name. They appear to be true vestigial teeth and have no function. Sometimes they are removed if it is determined that they cause pain to the horse with use of a bit. Also, they can interfere with floating (filing down) of molars, so they might be removed for that reason. Usually, a properly seated bit is just fine - wolf teeth or not. But many people do not know how to properly adjust a bridle, causing any upper wolf teeth to be painful. The bit should sit low. Also, there are bitless bridles that more experienced riders use. They are becoming increasingly popular.
See below for links to a couple of diagrams, showing where the cuspids are, and how they don't interfere with the bit.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
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What tpyes of teeth do cows have?
They have grinding teeth for chewing roughage (molars). They only have bottom front teeth (incisors), no upper front teeth.
Do horses only have front teeth?
No, a horse has both front and rear teeth. There is a space in between the frontal incisors and the first premolars called the bar where there are no teeth.
Why goats have teeth?
instead of top front teeth they have a strong pad. but they do have top molers for grinding.
Why do humans have four types of teeth?
Human have four types of teeth for different purposes.The four types of teeth are incisors, canines, pre-molars and molars. Incisors are the eight teeth in the front and center of your mouth. These are the teeth that you use to take bites of your food. Canines are sharpest teeth and are used for ripping and tearing food apart. Premolars are used for chewing and grinding food. Molars are also used for chewing and grinding food. For more information contact at: bestimplantdentistanaheimhills.com
Do moose have sharp teeth?
Moose are herbivores and eat grass, leaves and shrubs. They have flat grinding teeth.
Does grinding your teeth make your front teeth smaller?
Yea.
What tpyes of teeth do cows have?
They have grinding teeth for chewing roughage (molars). They only have bottom front teeth (incisors), no upper front teeth.
What type of teeth do horse have?
horses have incisors and molars as their teeth
Do horses only have front teeth?
No, a horse has both front and rear teeth. There is a space in between the frontal incisors and the first premolars called the bar where there are no teeth.
How are the herbivore's teeth different from a carnivore's?
Herbivores have flat, grinding teeth in the front and back, and the carnivores have sharp teeth made for tearing meat.
What kinds of teeth do mammals have?
Animals with hooves usually have flat wider teeth for grinding in back of the mouth and roundish front teeth for pulling. Members of the deer family have only bottom front teeth.
What do you call animals with no front teeth?
Horse...)
Which animals have broad and sharp teeth in the front and broad flat teeth inside?
Herbivores have broad and sharp teeth in the front to break (tear) the food and a broad flat teeth on its back side for grinding the food.
What kind of teeth do hoofed mammals have?
Animals with hooves usually have flat wider teeth for grinding in back of the mouth and roundish front teeth for pulling. Members of the deer family have only bottom front teeth.
How do you know what animal eats meat or plants?
Check its teeth. A carnivore will have ripping and slicing teeth. A herbivore will have cutting teeth in front, andf grinding teeth behind.
Do giraffe have pointy or flat edge teeth?
The front teeth have a chisel-like shape, the rear ones have a flat top for grinding.
Why are the teeth of a wolf not like the teeth of a horse?
wolves eat meat so they need teeth good for ripping and eating. horses eat grass and hay so they need teeth for grinding. -pk...
