Here are two coyotes: The first one is an old female. She is missing several incisors, the rest of them (and her lower canines) are very worn, but her upper canines and molars don't look too bad. It is very rare to see a coyote with teeth in such bad shape. Her teeth are, however, remarkably clean compared to a domestic canine.
The second is a very large male. His teeth are sharp and very clean.
...neat photos Debbie. Tooth wear can be a clue to animal age and condition where these are unknown in the wild. Unfortunately patterns of wear differ substantially between regions (for example prey items commonly consumed in one area may cause fast wear than in other areas)are not thought to be a reliable way to age a canid. You know yourselves how much tooth condition can change by paying attention to diet in a domestic dog--the same is true in the wild. The most reliable way is to count the annuli (the rings lain down with growth) in the cementum of the canine, much the same as counting tree rings, a procedure that obviously requires the tooth (and a lab) and would not be something you'd want to do in an animal being released back to the wild (but which can be done from carcasses). Having said that there is is still a lot of value (if you are a biologist, that is) in attempting to gauge the age of an animal and so several studies have attempted to characterize patterns of tooth wear with known age animals living in the wild. I did a quick search and found a link to one such study below. If you scroll down the page you will see a table (but for Gray wolves) which describes wear patterns for age classes based on wear in the incisors, canines, and carnassials to give you some idea.
As for the age of male shown...well, I wouldn't put any money on it, but I'm going to guess about 3-4 years based on what I can see from the photo. It is not uncommon to see old animals (and not just coyotes) with significant loss of teeth, gum infections and in some cases even bone infections that have progressed into the skull from infected teeth as animals age. I have collected caribou jawbones where the teeth were completely worn to the gum, and the caribou must have been masticating plant matter on the gums alone (which were raw and bleeding) and photographed a Polar bear skull which was mottled with holes from an infection that initially began in a broken canine. I suspect that a limited or difficult food intake contributes to a weakened condition and eventual death in many older animals--and it all comes back to the the condition of the teeth. See, they're interesting, no?
Tresa Hendrix Webboard User Reg: 05-08-2008
Posts: 1473
Loc: Alaska
Offline
My 5 y/o Dutchie was kibble fed (pro plan) until I got him at 1 year. He has been raw fed ever since. He uses his canines to scrape the inside of raw bones. I wonder if this is why his canines are all flat on the tips now. Even his back molars look worn a little.
A tired dog is a good dog, a trained dog is a better dog.
http://i922.photobucket.com/albums/ad67/Grasvaly/DSC00958-1.jpg
If this works this is the upper jaw of a male 5yr coyote we shot a couple of years ago right near our house. There was plaque along the gumline on his molars, and canines too (right after death). You can see one of the canines is fractured. He was about the size
and physique of Jamie Craig's Ryuk.
I think it's grit, dirt on cloth that does that to the canines. Sands them down. Mature tennis ball obsessed goldens and labs have totally flattened canines.
Just my guess. I don't think it's genetically soft teeth, myself.
Aaron, in that photo your dog really looks like a ferocious beast!
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Re: Wear on canine teeth
Top
I wasn't trying to highlight her teeth! 
She just looked terrifying. Silly little puppy.
Previous Topic
Index
Next Topic
.jpg)
