Crunch is a photograph by Miroslava Jurcik which was uploaded on November 4th, 2014.
Crunch
Sumatran Tiger from Dubbo Zoo ! The jaw holds 30 teeth in a normal, healthy animal. These teeth are custom-built for gripping and tearing flesh.... more
Title
Crunch
Artist
Miroslava Jurcik
Medium
Photograph
Description
Sumatran Tiger from Dubbo Zoo ! The jaw holds 30 teeth in a normal, healthy animal. These teeth are custom-built for gripping and tearing flesh.
The upper canines can reach lengths of 10 centimetres, but usually average between about 6.3 and 7.6 centimetres. Both top and bottom canines are used in killing the prey and biting chunks of meat off the carcass. The canines are particularly rich in nerve ends, allowing the hunter to be very sensitive in this area. This means that it is able to feel exactly what is going on when it grabs its prey and uses its teeth to kill it as quickly, effectively and trauma-free as possible.
The incisors are much smaller than the canines and are used to grip the prey and to rip the meat off of the bones. They are extremely sharp, making them very effective tools for tearing through thick hides, despite their smaller size. Their small, sharp structure also aids in picking feathers off of avian prey.
Tigers can actually be aged according to the size of their teeth, since these continue to grow. The teeth also tend to become yellow or otherwise discoloured through the years, testifying to a lifetime of hunting and living its independent life in the wild. As the tiger approaches old age, its teeth will begin to fall out, diminishing its ability to grab and hold struggling prey effectively. It is at this stage that tigers will begin hunting for prey that is very old, young or sick as it offers little resistance.
The jaw muscles are attached directly to the top of the skull, on the sagittal crest. The bottom jaw can only move up and down, not from side to side. This ensures that the jaw is as strong as it possibly could be; ideal for its purpose and role in the tigers life.
The structure of the jaws and teeth of these magnificent hunters only testifies to their impressive design.
Don't let this magnificent creature become only a Zoo display. Safe their wild relatives..... all 400 of them !!
Uploaded
November 4th, 2014
More from Miroslava Jurcik
Comments (40)
Chrisann Ellis
Miroslava, Congrats!!! Your Stunning Work has been Featured On The Home Page of Weekly Fun!!!
Recently Viewed
