Why Are Rats Teeth Yellow?
WouterThe reason that pet rats have yellow teeth is because the color is a sign of good health. Their upper incisors are a dark yellow color and their lower incisors are a light yellow color. The yellow color is due to the orange enamel that covers the teeth. Compared to human teeth, which are white, rats’ enamel is orange.
Rats don’t have canines and grind their food with their molars. They develop incisors at around eight to ten days of age, but their first molars don’t emerge from the gums until about 19 days old. The final set of molars comes in at about 35 days old. Rats also have softer back teeth than the front ones. This helps the incisors remain sharp.
The color of the teeth is caused by the presence of iron. This mineral is found in the labial side of the rodent’s incisors. It is thought that this mineral serves as a strengthening agent for the teeth. However, the exact function of iron is still unclear. However, there is some evidence that the iron can help a rat fight off prey such as the butterflyfish Chaetodon miliaris.
Another reason for the yellow color of rat teeth is that these teeth are made of enamel, which is different from that of humans. The enamel on rat teeth contains iron, which not only makes them yellow but also makes them strong. The enamel is a protective layer that helps rats cope with the harsh materials.
