African Elephant Tooth Shed Replica

Description

African elephant tooth shed replica measures 5.0″L x 8.0″W. The African Elephant elephant tooth shed replica is a museum-quality polyurethane resin cast from original specimen. Made in USA.

African elephant tooth replica Key Dental Facts

• Replacement Cycle: Teeth do not emerge vertically like humans; instead, they grow from the back, pushing forward.
• Molar Lifetime: An elephant has 6 sets of molars, with the final set typically appearing around age 30.
• Tooth Structure: African elephant molars have characteristic diamond-shaped enamel ridges.
• Weight & Size: A single molar can measure about 30 cm (12 in) long and weigh approximately 5 kg (11 lbs).
• Tusks: Both male and female African elephants have tusks, which are modified incisors that grow continuously.
• Cause of Death: Because the last set of molars wears down, starvation or malnutrition due to tooth loss is a leading cause of death elephants.
  

  Dental Development Phases for African elephants tooth replica

• Birth: Four small developing molars.
• ~2 years: First set of teeth fall out.
• ~4–6 years: Second set falls out.
• ~9–15 years: Third set falls out.
• ~18–28 years: Fourth set falls out.
• Early 40s: Fifth set falls out.
• Final Set: The sixth set must last the rest of their life.

Scientific classification:

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Proboscidea
• Family: Elephantidae
• Genus: Loxodonta Anonymous, 1827
• Type species: Elephas africana Blumenbach, 1797
• Temporal range: Late Miocene Present, 7–0 Ma

While isolated dental elements are excellent for tactile study, the African elephant female skull provides the essential anatomical framework for these specimens. This high fidelity cranium allows educators to demonstrate exactly how the molars sit within the massive alveolar sockets of the maxilla.