Tiger Tooth

Cats need your help! While the domestic cat has done very well for itself, many cat species are threatened or endangered due to poaching and habitat destruction. It is my goal to raise awareness of cats by providing these models so people think more about the uniqueness of these magnificent animals and are hopefully inspired to help them. Be sure to check out my other cat claw models!

This is a life-size model (made from a 3D scan of a resin cast) of a cuspid tooth (eye tooth / canine tooth / fang) belonging to a Siberian tiger, the world's largest living cat species.

Cats are obligate carnivores (also known as hypercarnivores) meaning that meat makes up the vast majority of their food intake. As that meat comes from animals which generally prefer not to be eaten, cats have had to evolve into very efficient hunting machines. Every feature of their bodies, from lithe, muscular limbs to sensitive whiskers on the face, is fine-tuned for catching prey.

One of a cat's most important adaptations are its cuspid teeth.  A cat's preferred method of subduing prey is to bite the back of the neck, forcing its cuspid teeth between the prey's vertebrae and separating the spine.  Cats can see in 1/6th the light required for human vision, but even in complete darkness a cat can aim this neck bite perfectly using its whiskers.  When prey is too large or too agile, the usual backup plan is to simply clamp down on the prey's windpipe from the front.