Lizards are a highly successful and diverse group of reptiles belonging to the order Squamata. The number of teeth a lizard has varies widely, depending entirely on the specific evolutionary adaptations of the species, its size, and its diet.
The Wide Range of Lizard Tooth Counts
The difference in tooth count between various lizard species is vast. Some species possess several hundred teeth; for example, the common leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus fimbriatus) holds the record among terrestrial vertebrates with 317 teeth.
In contrast, large predatory species like the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) have approximately 60 serrated teeth. Their teeth are larger, recurved, and designed for tearing flesh. The number and size of teeth are closely linked to the animal’s size and whether its diet consists of small insects or large prey animals.
How Lizard Teeth Are Structured and Attached
Lizards do not possess the deep, socketed teeth found in mammals. Instead, they anchor their teeth in one of two primary ways: pleurodonty or acrodonty.
Pleurodonty
Pleurodonty is where the teeth are attached to the inner side of the jawbone. This arrangement is characteristic of many species, including iguanas, geckos, and monitor lizards. Pleurodont teeth have a relatively strong attachment because a large portion of the tooth is in contact with the bone, but they are not fused to the jaw’s surface.
Acrodonty
Acrodonty is where the teeth are fused directly to the top edge of the jawbone. This method is found in species like chameleons, bearded dragons, and frilled dragons. Acrodont teeth generally have short roots and a superficial attachment, making them more prone to breaking or wearing down. Lizards with this type of dentition often have a uniform row of teeth.
Tooth Replacement and Diet
Lizards with pleurodont dentition, such as monitors and iguanas, are polyphyodonts, meaning they continuously replace their teeth throughout their lives. New teeth grow in a cycle, emerging next to the old ones before taking their place in the jaw.
Conversely, species with acrodont dentition, like chameleons and bearded dragons, generally lose the ability to replace their teeth once they reach maturity. As their teeth wear down, the biting surface eventually becomes the jawbone itself, which makes dental health a significant concern for these species.
The shape of a lizard’s teeth is a clear indicator of its diet. Insectivorous and carnivorous species often have simple, pointed, or conical teeth for gripping and piercing prey. Herbivorous lizards, such as the green iguana, possess flattened, leaf-shaped teeth with multiple cusps, suited for shearing and grinding tough plant matter. Specialized feeders like the caiman lizard have broad, blunt pleurodont teeth adapted for crushing the hard shells of mollusks and snails.