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Canine tooth facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Close up - chimpanzee teeth
Adult male chimpanzee

Canine teeth are found in mammals. They are the eye teeth, fangs or dogteeth. They are on either side of the incisors. Their main function is to hold food firmly in order to tear it apart, and also attack and defence.

In some mammals they are weapons of attack and defence. Examples are: wolves and dogs; the cat family; walrus. Baboons and the great apes have large canines, especially the adult males. In humans they are much reduced, and sit in line with the other teeth.

Olive Baboon Papio anubis in Tanzania 3066 Nevit
Male baboon canine teeth


Images for kids

  • 3D Medical Animation Still Showing Types of Teeth

    Medical animation showing Canine teeth and their arrangement in the mouth of an adult human being.

  • Illu mouth

    Mouth (oral cavity)

  • Gray157

    Left maxilla. Outer surface.

  • Gray187

    Base of skull. Inferior surface.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Diente canino para niños

kids search engine
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Canine tooth Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.