August 10th is World Lion Day. The day aims to raise awareness of the vulnerability of lions. Big cat numbers are declining worldwide as their historic habitats shrink. As humans encroach on their territory, big cats are threatened by poachers and illegal trade. Moreover, their prey becomes harder to find. Add to this the sort of dental issues that a carnivore can have, and we can understand some of the lion-sized teeth challenges predatory animals face in the wild.
Big cats have lion-sized teeth problems
For animals in the wild, a tooth problem can be the difference between life and death. A predator, like a lion, relies on good teeth for bringing down prey. Carnivorous big cats have teeth suited to biting and ripping. Yet they can also suffer from the same sort of tooth problems people have. It’s possible for big cats to lose teeth in an accident, through decay or gum disease.
In zoos, lions live for longer than they would in the wild. As they age, eating a diet that is softer than it would be in the wild, they are more prone to dental problems. Zoo vets have a challenging job. Imagine trying to extract a lions tooth! But this is what has to happen to put an end to a lion-sized toothache.
In the wild, a lion’s life is shorter, and problems with the teeth and jaw can cause their death. Big cats use their impressive teeth for bringing down prey, for tearing and ripping flesh as well as crushing bones. It’s a lot of wear. And when a tooth becomes cracked or broken, it’s open to infection. Once a big cat’s teeth are damaged or lost, if it can’t eat properly then it can starve.
Studies of lion’s who have turned to hunting people as prey tentatively link dental problems to the change in their hunting behaviour.
Three questions for Tooth Brushing Time:
Why not spend two minutes today talking about how important healthy teeth are to animals. We’re lucky we can hold tools to help us keep our teeth clean. By cleaning our teeth regularly, we can prevent most dental infection and resulting tooth loss.
- Q: How many teeth does an adult lion have?
- A: Thirty in total. Their biggest teeth are their incisors which can grow up to 10cm long (including the root).
- Q: What are the names of the big four wild cats that can roar?
- A: Lion, tiger, leopard and jaguar
- Q: Can you name four other big cats that don’t roar (but can purr)
- A: Cheetah, snow leopard, puma/mountain lion/cougar, clouded leopard or any ‘small’ cat (allow your own domestic feline friend too!)
Human’s can avoid lion-sized teeth problems:
- Brush teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, and floss daily.
- Regular appointments at your local dentist help to prevent small concerns becoming big teeth problems
- How can I find a dentist near me to make a dental appointment?