Cows, like other members of the ruminant family, have a unique dental structure. An adult cow typically has a total of 32 teeth. This includes 8 incisor teeth located on the lower jaw and 24 molars and premolars distributed on both the upper and lower jaws.
Interestingly, cows do not have upper incisors. Instead, they have a hard dental pad that helps them grip and tear grass while grazing. The lower incisors are used to cut the grass, which is then ground by the molars for digestion.
As cows age, their teeth wear down and may fall out, which can be an important factor for farmers to consider when evaluating the health and productivity of their cattle. Overall, understanding the tooth structure of cows not only illustrates their feeding habits but also highlights the adaptations they have developed for a herbivorous diet.