Leopard sharks, like all sharks, have teeth. Their specialized dentition is vastly different from the large, triangular teeth of their more famous relatives. This unique mouth structure is perfectly adapted for their bottom-dwelling lifestyle and is a primary feature in how they hunt and consume their prey.
The Specifics of Leopard Shark Dentition
The leopard shark’s dentition is built for crushing. Their teeth are small, blunt, and organized into multiple functional rows. This specialized arrangement is often referred to as “pavement-toothed” because the flattened crowns interlock to form a durable grinding surface.
Each individual tooth features three distinct cusps, with the central cusp being the largest. This three-pronged design helps to grip hard-shelled prey before the crushing force is applied. The multiple rows ensure that even if one tooth is damaged while cracking a shell, others are immediately ready to take its place.
Continuous Tooth Renewal
Leopard sharks exhibit polyphyodonty, meaning they continually replace their teeth throughout their lives. This renewal process operates like a conveyor belt, with new teeth constantly developing along the inside of the jaw. These replacement teeth slowly move forward until they reach the functional, outermost row.
When a tooth in the active row is lost or worn down, the developing tooth right behind it rotates forward to take its place. A new tooth moves into position within an estimated nine to twelve days. This rapid and constant renewal ensures the leopard shark always has a complete and functional set of teeth. This is especially important given the intense wear and tear caused by crushing hard shells.
How Tooth Shape Dictates Their Diet
The pavement-like structure of the leopard shark’s teeth directly determines its feeding strategy. Their prey consists mainly of organisms with hard outer coverings. They are active bottom-feeders that utilize their specialized mouth to consume a wide variety of benthic invertebrates.
The shark uses powerful suction to pull prey from the sand before using its jaws to pulverize the shells of crustaceans and mollusks. Their diet includes:
- Crabs
- Shrimp
- Clams and clam siphons
- Burrowing worms, such as the fat innkeeper worm
- Small bony fish and fish eggs (consumed by older, larger sharks)
This specialized dentition means they pose virtually no threat to humans, as they are not equipped to tear the flesh of large mammals. Their hunting behavior remains focused on the seafloor.