Comments on: Mole rat continuously grows new teeth in shark-like conveyor

By: Jess Tauber

Jess Tauber — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:46:56 +0000

I’m thinking it would be nice to get entirely new sets of teeth every year, like theropods. On the other hand the teething pain might become an annoyance. On the upside, however, just imagine how much you’ll make from the Tooth Fairy!

By: kevin

kevin — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 20:41:18 +0000

Does anyone know where I can see these mole rats in the UK?

By: Robert S-R

Robert S-R — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:37:51 +0000

According to Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant#Teeth

In elephants, the process does not go on forever. They usually get 6 sets throughout their lifetimes. Elephants can outlive their teeth, but won’t last much longer in the wild.

Otherwise, the mechanisms appear much the same, with teeth in the rear pushing forward and replacing teeth in the front.

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 07:52:07 +0000

Life will find a way (though in this case we aren’t sure what for)

By: ChasCPeterson

ChasCPeterson — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 23:16:42 +0000

The mole rat is one of only five species of mammals with this ability. The others – three species of manatee and the pygmy-rock wallaby – are distant relations.

elephants too, no?

By: featheredfrog

featheredfrog — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 23:11:34 +0000

I’d love to watch those manatees grazing on meadow grass…