Alligator Teeth: What to Know About These Pearly Whites

 

The American alligator is one of Florida’s top attractions. It might not draw in the crowds like Disney but many of the state’s visitors do come to see these reptiles. Who can blame them? Alligators might be the closest thing you’ll ever get to a dinosaur. They’re not one but they’re related to those magnificent creatures.


The gator is fascinating in its own right. There are many interesting facts about this reptile. Many people want to know how big alligators can get and their speed. For the record, most gators are between 8 to 12 feet long. They’re also fast for their size. They can run as fast as 35 mph, but they can only do this for a short period. They’re a bit slower in the water though with their top speed clocking in at 20 mph. One of the alligator’s distinguishing features is its teeth. Alligator teeth look scary. It’s easy to see how they can rip the limbs of their prey. Here are interesting details about these pearly whites.


An adult gator will have around 80 teeth. These are sharp and conical in shape. Like us, their teeth will also fall out. But they are polyphyodont. This is a term for an animal with teeth that are always replaced. Sharks, saltwater crocodiles, and manatees are also polyphyodont. So, when an alligator’s tooth falls out, another slot right back in. A gator reportedly goes through 2,000 to 3,000 teeth in its lifetime.

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