Some Facts About Lions Teeth

Lions, Lions Teeth, Wild Kenya Safaris, www.wildkenyasafaris.com, Shazaad Kasmani, Safaris from diani beach, safaris in kenya, safaris from nairobi, safari travel agency, safari booking office kenya, diani beach safaris, wildlife kenya safaris

A lions forward set of teeth consists of 4 canines and 12 incisors

While watching a lion yawn or growl, one cannot help to be immediately impressed by the two large pairs of sharp canines that this top savanna predator is armed with.

Contrary to the belief that the four large canines are used for feeding, they are actually the lions principle tools when it comes to concluding a successful hunt. These large teeth pierce deep through the skin of its prey to create a tightened grip during the choke hold. As the lion uses its enlarged canines to tightly clamp down around the prey's throat or mouth, its game slowly asphyxiates as the canines are locked in to prevent the prey from breathing and escaping.

The smaller 12 incisors which are located in between the canines, are also used as a supplemental grip during the choke hold, as well as for tearing and yanking out flesh from bones during its feeding.

Till the next post,
Shazaad Kasmani

Comments

Lions Mating Up Close In Kenya

This lion and lioness are mating really close to the road.

The Roughness Of A Lions Tongue

A lions tongue has numerous tiny spines called papillae Pet lovers with a domestic cat at home will relate to this story quite well, as they would have had their hands or fingers licked by their cat's tongue at some point or another. A lion’s tongue is no less different in design to that of a house cats, with the exception that its sheer size and heaviness would make a lions tongue as rough and harsh as sandpaper! But why is the lions tongue so rough and how is this beneficial? The reason for its roughness is that the surface of the lions tongue is covered in many tiny spines called papillae, which are further divided into 3 types namely; Filiform, Fungiform and Vallate papillae. The cats filiform papillae which is located on the tongues dorsal surface, is the main reason for the roughness, and these can also be compared to barbs since they face backwards in the direction of the throat. Having a barbed tongue is beneficial to the lion for a number of reasons. I...

The Unique Looking Guitar Fish

Guitar Fish resting on the sea bed One of the most interesting characteristics about the guitar fish is its unique body shape. It seemingly looks like a cross between a shark and a ray - with its flattened ray like head yet it has a long shark like body with dorsal fins - but this fish is actually a classification of its own and has about 50 subspecies. The guitar fish prefers to remain tranquil on the sea bed, partly covering itself with sand to camouflage itself for any unsuspecting prey such as crabs or small fish that may come past it. Reaching sizes of approximately two meters in length, they are quite docile so can easily be approached by underwater photographers.

WILD KENYA SAFARIS - Kenya Safaris, Diani Beach Safaris, Mombasa Safaris and more

Search This Blog