Moles are small mammals that live underground and burrow tunnels. They have cylinder-shaped bodies, velvety fur, small eyes and ears, and short limbs with large paws for digging. Moles are found worldwide, with over 40 species identified.
One interesting fact about moles is that they have a unique set of teeth compared to most other mammals. So exactly how many teeth do moles have? Read on to find out more about the number, types, and functions of mole teeth.
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Types of Mole Teeth
Moles have four types of teeth that perform different functions: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.
Incisors
Moles have 12 small incisor teeth at the front of the upper and lower jaws. The incisors have sharp, chisel-like crowns adapted for gnawing and biting prey. Moles use their incisors to kill prey like earthworms and insects as well as cut through soil and roots when burrowing.
Canines
Behind the incisors are the canine teeth. Moles have 4 pointed canine teeth, with 2 in the upper jaw and 2 in the lower. The canines help grip and pierce prey when feeding. They also serve as weapons for defense against predators.
Premolars
After the canines are 8 premolar teeth in total – 4 premolars in each jaw. The premolars have cusps for cutting and grinding food before it’s passed back to the molars.
Molars
The most posterior teeth in a mole’s mouth are their molars. They have 8 molars, with 4 in each jaw. The molars have broad crowns with cusps and ridges that are used for crushing and grinding food. The molars provide the final processing of prey before swallowing.
Total Number of Teeth in Moles
Adding up the numbers for all four types – incisors, canines, premolars, and molars – gives a total of 32 teeth in an adult mole. The dental formula notation for moles is:
Upper Jaw: I 2/2, C 1/1, P 2/2, M 3/3
Lower Jaw: I 2/2, C 1/1, P 2/2, M 3/3
This dental pattern of 32 teeth is consistent across most mole species. The only exception is the star-nosed mole which has an extra pair of upper incisors, for a total of 34 teeth.
Teeth Growth and Replacement in Moles
Moles are diphyodont animals, meaning they have two sets of teeth in their lifetime – deciduous and permanent. Here is an overview of mole tooth development:
Deciduous Teeth
– Moles are born toothless. The deciduous or baby teeth start growing around 14-16 days after birth.
– By one month of age, moles have a full set of 20-22 deciduous teeth used for early feeding and defense.
– Deciduous teeth start being replaced around 5-6 weeks of age.
Permanent Teeth
– The permanent adult teeth start developing under the deciduous teeth.
– By 2 months of age, the permanent incisors and canines have erupted into the mouth.
– The permanent premolars arrive around 3 months of age.
– The permanent molars are the last to erupt, coming in around 4 months of age.
– By 6 months of age, the full set of 32 permanent teeth has replaced the deciduous set.
– These permanent teeth will last for the remainder of the mole’s lifetime.
Tooth Loss and Damage in Moles
While moles have a consistent number of 32 teeth as adults, they can experience tooth loss or damage during their lifetime through a few different mechanisms:
Wear
Constant burrowing through tough soil and roots can wear down the crowns of mole teeth over time. The incisors at the front typically show the most wear.
Fractures
Teeth may fracture when biting on hard prey items or grit in soil. The thin enamel layer of mole teeth makes them prone to cracks and breakage.
Decay
Dental caries or tooth decay is rare in moles but can occur in very old individuals, especially in the molar teeth.
Trauma
Moles can lose or damage teeth through fights with predators or other moles over territory. Canine teeth are most prone to being knocked out.
Periodontal Disease
Bacterial infection of tooth sockets and gums can lead to loosening and eventual tooth loss, typically starting with the molars.
Impact of Tooth Loss on Moles
Moles rely heavily on their teeth for survival functions like:
– Killing and eating prey
– Digging tunnels and burrows
– Defense against predators
Tooth loss impacts these abilities. Incisor loss reduces gnawing ability and food intake. Molar loss limits grinding ability and nutritional uptake from food. Overall, moles with extensive tooth loss often starve and face higher predation risk.
However, moles have some ability to compensate through their behavior. They may switch to softer prey items easier to chew and digest. Moles with incisor loss may also focus more on digging than hunting. So while problematic, moles can sometimes adapt to tooth loss.
Key Facts About Mole Teeth
Here are the key points to remember about the number and nature of mole teeth:
- Most mole species have 32 permanent adult teeth.
- Moles have 4 types of teeth: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.
- Each type has a specialized shape and function.
- Moles replace their deciduous teeth around 6 months of age.
- Their adult teeth last for life but can be lost through wear, fractures, decay, or disease.
- Tooth loss impairs feeding and defense abilities in moles.
Conclusion
In summary, most moles have a consistent dental pattern of 32 permanent teeth as adults. The four tooth types – incisors, canines, premolars, and molars – allow moles to effectively hunt prey, grind food, dig tunnels, and defend themselves. While tooth loss can occur through damage and disease, moles rely heavily on their full set of teeth for survival. Understanding the number, types, and functions of mole teeth provides insight into their unique underground lifestyle.