7 toothless animals that have mastered the art of eating

In nature, we usually think of teeth as a must-have for survival, used to bite, chew, tear, or grind food. But not all animals rely on teeth. In fact, some don’t have any at all, and still manage to eat just fine. Their ways of feeding might seem odd at first, but they’re actually smart, evolved adaptations that help them survive.

From birds and reptiles to sea creatures and even some mammals, these animals have found clever ways to live and eat, without ever needing to bite.

Here are seven fascinating animals that show us that teeth aren’t the only way to enjoy a meal.

Turtles

Turtles don’t have teeth, but they don’t need them. Instead, they use their sharp, beak-like mouths to eat. Plant-eating turtles use their strong jaws to cut through leaves and grass, while meat-eating ones can crush shells and catch prey. Their jaw shape suits what they eat, making them great feeders even without teeth.

Pangolins

Pangolins, the shy, scale-covered mammals, also live without teeth and feed mostly on ants and termites. They use their long, sticky tongues to scoop up insects and swallow them whole. Since they can’t chew, they swallow small stones that help grind the food in their strong stomachs, just like a bird’s gizzard does.

Anteaters

Anteaters have a unique way of eating that doesn’t involve teeth at all. Instead of chewing, they use their long, sticky tongue to reach deep into ant and termite nests. Their saliva helps trap hundreds of insects at a time. Since they don’t have teeth, they rely on their strong stomach muscles to crush and digest the insects from the inside.

Baleen Whales

Some of the largest animals on the planet have no teeth at all. Baleen whales– like blue whales and humpbacks– use special comb-like plates made of keratin to feed. These baleen plates act like filters, trapping tiny sea animals like krill while the whale pushes the water out. It’s a simple but highly effective way to eat without teeth.

Platypuses

Adult platypuses lose their teeth shortly after they’re born. Instead of chewing with their teeth, they use rough pads inside their mouths. When they hunt underwater, they scoop up worms, crustaceans, and tiny bits of gravel. Once they’re back at the surface, the gravel helps grind up the food before they swallow it.

Birds

All birds, from backyard hens to owls and penguins, are completely toothless. Instead, they use their beaks, which are specially shaped to match their diet– whether it’s pecking at seeds, catching fish, or tearing into meat. Since they can’t chew, birds rely on a gizzard– a strong, muscular part of their stomach– to grind up food. Many even swallow small stones to help with the process.

Seahorses

Seahorses are small ocean creatures that don’t have teeth or even a real stomach. Instead, they survive by eating all the time. Using their long snouts, they quickly suck in tiny animals like plankton and small crustaceans. Since they can’t store food, they need to keep feeding almost constantly to stay alive.