| Sharks continually lose their teeth. When the front ones wear out they are replaced by new ones growing in another row behind them. An individual shark can get through thousands of teeth in a lifetime. Animals, like elephants and seals, cannot replace their teeth and die when they wear out. As the shark grows, it new teeth are larger than the ones they replace. Sharks’ teeth come in many shapes according to what kind of food they eat. Teeth, like small spikes, are used for gripping small prey. Serrated teeth are used for cutting. Long, curved teeth get hold of slippery fish. Blunt teeth crunch up shellfish. Blunt teeth crunch up shellfish. A few species of shark, like basking and whale sharks, have tiny teeth compared to their great size. They do not use their teeth to feed, but instead filter food out of the water. Some sharks produce different shaped teeth as they grow older. |
