Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua), a commercially important fish found throughout the North Atlantic, do possess teeth, though they are quite different from the teeth of mammals. The direct answer to whether cod have teeth is yes, but their dentition is specialized to suit their marine environment and feeding habits. This arrangement helps the cod secure and process the varied diet they find.
The Unique Structure of Cod Dentition
The teeth of the Atlantic Cod are small, numerous, and fine, unlike the large, sharp structures designed for slicing. This type of dentition is described as cardiform or villiform, meaning the teeth resemble the bristles of a brush or fine sandpaper. They are arranged in dense patches across the jawbones, providing a rough, gripping surface instead of a cutting edge.
Cod have teeth on their lower jaw (mandible) and their upper jaw (premaxilla and maxilla). They also have a prominent patch of teeth on the vomer, a bone situated on the roof of the mouth. These vomerine teeth are an adaptation for holding prey securely once captured, preventing escape.
The upper jaw of the cod protrudes slightly over the lower jaw, working with the numerous, close-set teeth to create an effective trap. This anatomical setup supports the cod’s feeding method, which relies on powerful suction and a firm grip to capture and swallow prey whole.
The Role of Teeth in Cod Diet
The brush-like nature of the cod’s dentition indicates that its primary function is not chewing or tearing food into smaller pieces. Instead, the fine, pointed teeth are designed for gripping and holding slippery prey. This gripping ability is essential because the cod is an omnivorous predator that consumes a wide variety of mobile prey.
The diet of the Atlantic Cod includes numerous invertebrates, such as small crustaceans, worms, and mollusks, along with various species of fish. Younger cod feed mainly on small planktonic crustaceans like copepods. As they mature, they transition to larger prey, incorporating other fish into their diet:
- Capelin
- Herring
- Haddock
- Smaller cod
The teeth assist this feeding behavior by acting like Velcro to secure the prey firmly inside the mouth. Because cod swallow their food whole, the teeth serve to immobilize the prey and direct it toward the throat for ingestion. This is a common strategy among “engulfing” fish, who capture and swallow their meal in one swift motion.