May 20, 2022 · The final teeth in the opossum’s mouth are the molars. Opossums have 16 molars; eight on the top, eight on the bottom, and eight per side. The molars are known as ‘tricuspids’, because they each have three cusps, or tips, with a flat area called a ‘basin’ in the middle of the tooth.

When an opossum is "playing possum", the animal's lips are drawn back, the teeth are bared, saliva foams around the mouth, the eyes close or half-close, and a foul-smelling fluid is secreted from the anal glands. The stiff, curled form can be prodded, turned over, and even carried away without reaction.

Jan 23, 2022 · Possums have heterodont teeth which they use for self-defense. Like most mammals, possums have a complete set of heterodont teeth, including incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. The possum’s canines are sharp but not as sharp, pointed, and prominent as the opossum’s canines.

Oct 29, 2024 · With a whopping 50 teeth in their mouth, opossums have an impressive arsenal when it comes to chomping down on their favorite foods. In this article, we will dive deep into the world of opossum teeth and uncover 20 fascinating facts that will leave you in awe of these incredible creatures.

Feb 4, 2024 · Opossums have a unique set of teeth that are highly adaptive to their omnivorous diet. They have 50 teeth in total, with sharp incisors and canine teeth at the front of their mouth. Their incisors are long and chisel-like, perfect for gnawing into tough outer layers of fruits and vegetables or breaking through the shells of nuts.

Jul 9, 2022 · Opossums have a complete set of heterodont teeth, including incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. These teeth are designed for different functions, such as cutting and tearing food, or grinding it down. Incisors are the sharp, chisel-like teeth in the front of the mouth used for pulling food into their mouth.

Opossums have four different types of teeth in their mouths: 18 incisors in the front of the mouth, 16 molars toward the back, four canines -- or fangs -- and 12 premolars, between the canines and the molars.