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carnassial tooth
(redirected from carnassial)

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carnassial tooth

One of a powerful scissorlike pair of molars, found in all mammalian carnivores except seals. Carnassials are formed from an upper premolar and lower molar, and are shaped to produce a sharp cutting surface. Carnivores such as dogs transfer meat to the back of the mouth, where the carnassials slice up the food ready for swallowing.



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These special teeth are called carnassial teeth and will literally shear through tough meat, bones, gristle and hide using the enormous strength of the muscles in their jaws.
The Way Your Dog Eats by Brian John / Pets and Animals community
When cat-like predators called felids arrive on their idyllic island, lead by a vicious hunter named Carnassial, Dusk must guide his companions to safety in a new environment.
Oppel, Kenneth. Darkwing by Rohrlick, Paula / Kliatt
These teeth are called carnassial teeth and have large shearing surfaces that act like scissor blades which can cut through such tough substances as muscle, hide, gristle, and even bone.
The Dog's Mechanics of Eating His Dog Food by Ann Marier / Consumer news, advice, product reviews community
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