Elephants do not shed their tusks; these structures are permanent, highly specialized, elongated incisor teeth that protrude from the upper jaw. Unlike deciduous teeth or structures like antlers that are shed annually, the elephant’s tusk is permanent. Their permanence is due to their unique anatomy and continuous growth mechanism, which locks them into the skull.
The Anatomy of a Tusk
Elephant tusks are anatomically modified upper incisor teeth, not canine teeth. The bulk of the tusk is composed of dentine, a dense, calcified connective tissue commonly referred to as ivory. This material is distinguished by microscopic lines, known as Schreger lines, which form a unique cross-hatching pattern visible in a cross-section.
Approximately one-third of the tusk’s total length is hidden and embedded deep within a bony socket in the elephant’s skull. This embedded portion is hollow and contains the pulp cavity, a living core of tissue, nerves, and blood vessels. While a young elephant’s tusk has a small cap of enamel at the tip, this hard outer layer quickly wears away, leaving the dentine exposed for the majority of the tusk’s life.
Continuous Growth and Permanence
The embedded base of the tusk houses a continuous growth plate, or dental matrix, that remains active throughout the animal’s lifespan. This living tissue constantly deposits new layers of dentine at the root, pushing the entire tusk outward from the skull.
Because the tusk is continually produced at the root, it never develops a closed root structure, which typically stops the growth of most adult teeth. This open root allows for indefinite growth, meaning a tusk will get longer and thicker unless severely damaged. The tusk is firmly anchored to the skull by a specialized ligament, which, combined with the continuous growth from the base, makes natural shedding impossible.
Primary Functions and Uses
Elephants rely on their tusks for a wide variety of practical and social tasks that are necessary for survival and herd dynamics. For foraging, they use tusks to strip bark from trees to access nutritious cambium or to knock down high branches. During dry seasons, tusks are used as digging implements to excavate dry riverbeds and soil to unearth water and mineral-rich salts.
Tusks also serve as tools for manipulation, such as lifting heavy objects, marking trails, or clearing brush and debris. For males, tusks are frequently used in displays of dominance during mating season or in sparring matches to establish social hierarchy. Most elephants exhibit a preference for a single tusk, often referred to as the “master tusk,” which becomes noticeably shorter and more worn from frequent use.
Tusk Loss and Damage
Although tusks are permanent, they are subject to constant wear and tear. Over years of digging, prying, and fighting, the tips of the tusks become naturally worn down and blunted. It is not uncommon for an elephant to suffer a tusk breakage due to impact with a hard object, an aggressive encounter, or a fall.
If the tusk breaks cleanly and the fracture does not extend into the living pulp cavity, the elephant will likely be fine, and the tusk will continue to grow in length from the root. However, a severe break that exposes the pulp cavity can be a serious health issue, leaving the nerve tissue and blood vessels vulnerable to infection and pain. The tusk will continue to grow from the base, but the newly exposed end will be misshapen and will not reform the original pointed tip.