Oral cavity adaptations

Herbivore dentition

dental pad instead of upper incisors - grasp plants with tongue and pinch off with lower incisors against dental pad.

No canines

thoroughly grind food and mix with lots of saliva

molars continually grow and are worn down by silica in the plant material they eat

carnivore dentition

canines - rip meat

carnassial teeth - paired, modified molars - shearing of meat - more efficient than tearing

no ability to digest cellulose - lack cellulase enzyme

examples of herbivores

ruminants - e.g. cows, sheep, giraffes

example of carnivores 

dogs, tigers, lions

oral cavity of birds

beak - made of bone, keratin and blood vessels

grow continually -worn down by grooming, rubbing, climbing and feeding

beak shape - based on adaptations it needs e.g. pelican - large lower beak for scooping fish

no teeth in mouth as they do not chew food