are elephant tusks teeth
For other uses, see Tusk (disambiguation). Tusks are elongated, continuously growing front teeth, usually but not always in pairs, that protrude well beyond the mouth of certain mammal species. They are most commonly canines, as with warthogs, pig, and walruses, or, in the case of elephants, elongated incisors. Tusks differ in shape, size and length thus researchers can use them to identify the individual. These bulky mammals use their bulky teeth (tusks) for their defense and feeding. Elephants tusks are mostly dangerous for them because it is their tusk which led to their senseless slaughter by hunters. Usually in mammals tusks are enlarged canine teeth, but in elephants they are actually elongated incisors and are essentially no different from other teeth. One third of the tusk is actually hidden from view, embedded deep in the elephant’s head. Elephant and mammoth tusk ivory comes from the two modified upper incisors of extant and extinct members of the same order (Proboscidea). African and Asian elephants are both extant. Mammoths have been extinct for 10,000 years. Where Elephants Are Found. The tusks are a remarkable feature of the elephants. Tusk is the two big long teeth on an elephants face. They are longer in size and about one third of the tusk is hidden inside the elephants skull. Walrus tusk ivory comes from two modified upper canines. The tusks of a Pacific walrus may attain a length of one meter. Walrus teeth are also commercially carved and traded. The average walrus tooth has a rounded, irregular peg shape and is approximately 5cm in length. An African elephant tusk can grow to 3.5 meters in length. Enamel is only present on the tusk tip in young animals. It is soon worn off and not replaced. Whole cross-sections of proboscidean tusks are rounded or oval. Ivory Tusks – A Blessing and Curse. An elephant’s tusks are both a blessing and curse. Blessing because they give a sense of true majesty that rise them above other animals as well and being of use for various tasks. A curse because man’s avarice for ivory has led to the senseless slaughter of hundreds of thousands of the magnificent animals. In most tusked species both the males and the females have tusks although the males' are larger. Tusks are generally curved, though the narwhal's sole tusk is straight and has a helical structure. In the elephant, the tusks were originally second incisors. Continuous growth is enabled by formative tissues in the apical openings of the roots of the teeth. Average Size Of An Elephant. The tusks are a remarkable feature of the elephants. Tusk is the two big long teeth on an elephants face. They are longer in size and about one third of the tusk is hidden inside the elephants skull. Both male and female have the tusks, the longest tusk ever recorded was 138 inches long and it weighed 314 pounds which made it the heaviest tusk of the elephant.
Yes, the tusks are a remarkable feature of the elephants.