Are domestic cat’s teeth and lion’s teeth the same or different?
Domestic cats (Felis catus) and wild lions (Panthera leo) are both carnivorous felines – meat eating cats, or felids.
The type of teeth structure that they have is called their dentition.
Domestic cats and wild lions both have 30 teeth. Humans have 32 teeth.
Domestic Cat (left) and Lion (right)
Domestic cats and wild lions have 12 small front teeth called incisors (6 on the top jaw and 6 on the bottom jaw). Incisor teeth are used to grasp their prey and tear their meat.
Domestic cats and wild lions have 4 long, sharp, pointed teeth called canine teeth or fangs (2 on the top jaw and 2 on the bottom jaw). Canine teeth are used to kill their prey and tear their meat.
Domestic cats and wild lions have 10 side teeth called premolars or carnassial teeth (6 on the top jaw and 4 on the bottom jaw). Premolars are used to cut and chew their food.
Domestic cats and wild lions have 4 back teeth called molars (2 on the top jaw and 2 on the bottom jaw). Molars are used to cut and chew their food.
Domestic cats and wild lions do not have grinding surfaces on their molar teeth (dogs have grinding teeth).
Domestic cats and wild lions can only move their jaw up and down (human can move their jaw up and down, and also side to side).
The canine teeth of a domestic cat can grow to 1-3 centimetres (half to 1 inch) long.
The canine teeth of a lion can grow to 5-7 centimetres (2 to nearly 3 inches) long.
Therefore, domestic cat’s teeth and lion’s have the same dentition, but the fangs (canine teeth) of a lion are longer and stronger than a cat’s fangs.
Domestic Cat
Lion
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM