Canine tooth facts for kids
Canine teeth are special teeth found in many mammals, including humans! You might know them as "eye teeth," "fangs," or "dogteeth." They are located on either side of your front teeth, called incisors. Their main job is to help animals grab food tightly and tear it into smaller pieces. They can also be used for protection or defense.
Why Do Animals Have Big Canines?
In some mammals, canine teeth are very large and strong. They act like tools for attack and defense. For example, wolves and dogs use their canines to catch prey. The cat family, like lions and tigers, also have powerful canines for hunting.
Animals like the walrus have huge tusks, which are actually very long canine teeth! They use these for digging in the ice and for fighting. Baboons and the great apes, such as gorillas and chimpanzees, also have big canines. These are often much larger in adult males. They use them to show strength or defend their group.
Canine Teeth in Humans
Unlike many other mammals, human canine teeth are much smaller. They are not sharp or pointed like fangs. Instead, they sit neatly in line with our other teeth. Even though they are smaller, they still help us tear food, especially tougher foods like meat.
Images for kids
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Medical animation showing Canine teeth and their arrangement in the mouth of an adult human being.
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Mouth (oral cavity)
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Left maxilla. Outer surface.
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Base of skull. Inferior surface.
See also
In Spanish: Diente canino para niños
