Rats only have one set of teeth for their whole lifetime

Rats have incisors and molars. Incisors are the frontmost teeth in mammals. In rats, these are the four, long, sharp front teeth, two on top and two on the bottom. Rat incisors are highly specialized for gnawing. They are open-rooted, which means they grow throughout life. Molars are the rearmost teeth in the mouth, used for grinding food prior to swallowing it. Rats have 12 molars, six on the top and six on the bottom (and three on each side of each jaw). Molars are never replaced. Rats have only one set of teeth during their life.

More Info: www.ratbehavior.org

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43 Comments

JRW

Ben, even if that were true, vermin proof trash cans solve that problem!

Ben

They are No. 1 source of bacteria digging through trash can and underground sewage system.

VictoriaBoy78

I guess they don't need to go to the dentist?

redrose

Irene Townsend, Have had pet rats. Far more intelegent than dogs and cats. In some African countries they are being used to sniff out mines and save lives. Their weight does not set the mines of. Admitted the ones who live in cities are not beautiful and fluffy but they dispose of a lot of garbage people leave in yards and on streets.

Irene Townsend

Didn't know that, just guessed and got it. Horrible creatures

Player

Criona Walsh, like beavers (and other rodents) their incisors continuously grow. chewing wears them down. Although not part of the rodent family rabbits & hares also have constantly growing incisors.

Cheryl McMeekin

Great question and info.

Donna Smith

WOW I DIDN'T KNOW THAT..GOOD QUESTION

littledick

Louis Michael Durocher,, If they "grow into"; the permanent teeth, then it must be just one set of teeth. Not to be such, means the baby teeth would have had to fall out.