Asian Elephant Tooth Replica

Description

Asian elephant tooth replica measures 11.0″L. Asian elephant tooth replica is museum-quality polyurethane resin cast. Made in USA.

Asian elephants have a unique “conveyor belt” tooth system, utilizing six sets of molars throughout their lives that grow from the back and move forward as the old ones wear down.

They have 4 active, heavy-duty molars (two on top, two on bottom) at any time. The final set usually lasts the rest of their life.

Key Facts About Asian Elephant Teeth:

• Molar Cycles: Elephants go through six sets of molars, with new teeth pushing out old ones horizontally rather than vertically.
• Active Teeth: A mature elephant typically has only four, massive, heavy molars in use at any time (one on each side of the jaw).
• Lifespan of Molars: The first set of molars is replaced around age 2, and the final (sixth) set erupts around 30-40 years old. If these last teeth wear out completely, it can cause severe health issues.
• Tusks: Tusks are actually elongated incisors. Only male Asian elephants usually have visible tusks; females have small “tushes”.
• Dentition: Their molars have flattened, loop-shaped ridges adapted for grinding fibrous plants.

Tooth Replacement Timeline:

• Set 1-3: Lost by age 15
• Set 4: Lost between 18–28 years old
• Set 5: Lost in their early 40’s
• Set 6: Final set

An elephant’s age can be estimated by examining the wear and progression of these molar sets.

Scientific classification:

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Proboscidea
• Family: Elephantidae
• Genus: Elephas
• Species: E. maximus
• Binomial name: Elephas maximus Linnaeus, 1758
• Temporal range: Pleistocene–Recent
• Conservation status: Endangered (IUCN 3.1), CITES Appendix

After examining the intricate details of the tooth, complete your osteological study with our African elephant skull replica.