Aardwolf (Proteles cristatus) Protelidae
Lateral View Aardwolf Skull
Aardwolf posterior teeth are sparse and vestigial indicating a diet that does not require crushing or mastication prior to deglutition (swallowing). Indeed, they subsist almost exclusively on termites; termites do not have an exoskeleton.
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Lateral View Aardwolf Mandible
Note the tiny vestigial posterior teeth and mostly edentulous mandible. Teeth are simply unnecessary for consuming termites.
aardwolfproteles cristatusprotelidaeImagePhotoPhotographcarnivorecomparative anatomydentitioninsectivourjavan ferret badgerknowledgeandlight.commammalmelogale orientalismustelidaeosteologyotocyonparasagittal crestsagittal crestskullsteve tornaweasel
Dorsal View Aardwolf Mandible
A dorsal perspective demonstrating a predominantly toothless (edentulous) posterior mandible. Note that the anterior teeth are well developed consisting of relatively heavy canines and substantial broad incisors. The canines are used for intraspecific territory disputes and for predator defense.
aardwolfproteles cristatusprotelidaeImagePhotoPhotographcarnivorecomparative anatomydentitioninsectivourjavan ferret badgerknowledgeandlight.commammalmelogale orientalismustelidaeosteologyotocyonparasagittal crestsagittal crestskullsteve tornaweasel
Anterior View Aardwolf Skull
Although cheek teeth are reduced to pegs, their canines are well developed and used for fighting and defense.
aardwolfproteles cristatusprotelidaeImagePhotoPhotographcarnivorecomparative anatomydentitioninsectivourjavan ferret badgerknowledgeandlight.commammalmelogale orientalismustelidaeosteologyotocyonparasagittal crestsagittal crestskullsteve tornaweasel
