Dining Without Dentures: 10 Amazing Creatures Who Thrive Toothless
Lampreys
These jawless fish use a specialized mouth with rasping teeth to attach themselves to prey and suck out their bodily fluids. Their digestive systems adapt to different hosts.
Echidnas
Similar to pangolins, they have spiky bodies and long, sticky tongues to slurp up ants and termites. Their sticky saliva and strong claws assist in their foraging.
Frogs
Some lack teeth entirely, while others have weak ones. They use their sticky tongues to catch insects, propelled by a flicking motion. Amphibians often swallow their prey whole.
Sea Cucumbers
They have tentacles with microscopic cilia that create water currents, drawing in plankton and organic matter. Sticky mucus traps the food particles, which are then passed to the mouth.
Starfish
These spineless wonders extend their tube feet with tiny suction cups to capture prey like clams. Enzymes dissolve the soft tissues, allowing the starfish to absorb them.
Anteaters
With their elongated, sticky tongues and powerful sense of smell, they locate ant and termite colonies. Their saliva helps capture prey, and their rough tongues scrape up insects.
Turtles
Though some have a tooth-like beak as hatchlings, adults rely on powerful jaws and sharp beaks to tear and crush food. Some aquatic turtles use their tongues to suck in prey.
Birds
They dont have teeth, but their beaks are adapted for diverse diets. Swallows and owls catch insects mid-air, parrots crack nuts with strong beaks, and ducks filter water with specialized bills. Their gizzards contain grit to grind down food.
Pangolins
These scaly mammals lack teeth but have sticky, long tongues to snatch ants and termites, aided by strong claws to dig into ant nests. Their gizzards grind up the hard exoskeletons.