Some mammals, such as warthogs, pigs, and walruses, have large long curved canine teeth called tusks.

Others, such as elephants, have long curved incisor teeth called tusks.

Mostly, animals have pairs of tusks. The narwhal has one long straight tusk.

All African elephants, male and female, have tusks. Only some Asian male elephants have tusks, and about half of Asian female elephants have short tusks called tushes.

Tusks are made of ivory.

Tusks are used as weapons to attack other animals when in danger. Mostly, tusks are used to help them dig and collect food.

Elephants generally have a tusk that they use most often (like some humans use their right hand most often). The preferred tusk is called a master tusk.

A tusker is the name for a large, dominant male mammal with a tusk.

Elephant tusk

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM