SAP Teeth

[J-P]

It came time tonight to trim one of my SAP's teeth. I noticed that it had some plant matter stick in there and the teeth were getting a little long.

I always wondered why SAPs shake their head like a dog fighting a rope when they deal with certain foods, and not I think I know why. I never read or heard anyone mention that the insides of their teeth are serrated like a knife. This would explain why they "rag doll" their food on occasion.

I have taken a pic.. it is not PTOM material but you can clearly see the serrated edges on the inside (which I find is odd).... I wonder if they glass surf in an attempt to "clean" their teeth.. (I mentioned this before to Flutter). It always seem that when thy "panic and go crazy", they are rubbing their mouths against the glass as opposed to their heads or other body parts.

Anyone have any other insight?

[xrayjeeper83]

Ok they now look like aliens to me, and not the nice type, more like the type that will eat you LOL

[J-P]

LOL!! my wife actually thought their mouths opened sideways given the teeth .. it was difficult and frustrating to explain.

In hind sight, this would be a good pic for the library or the PufferPedia

[xrayjeeper83]

well looking at that picture, the only slit i see if vertical. I dont see any horizontal openings?

[J-P]

that is because the teeth have become overgrown ... between the gap in the 2 fore teeth you can see the white of the bottom dental plate.

[xrayjeeper83]

got ya, those are only the top teeth

[J-P]

is this pic better?

[xrayjeeper83]

Scarier thats about it lol


na I can see the teeth better

[purplecandle]

Now that J-P IS POTM material!

What a gorgeous looking psychopath puffer you got there ! Only thing he is missing is a long lizard tongue and a repeatable, catchy monologue like "my precious"

[J-P]

I was thinking of the "hissss" Alien makes or the "Grrrr" Predator makes

now that you mention it.. I have not really named my puffers as of yet... only "Fatty", "Little guy" and "the medium one". haha

Since this is the medium one, it could be "Psycho-M" haha

[purplecandle]

"Give us the snails master" "Yes, Yes the snails"

[J-P]

Well, I do give them snails.. and like I mentioned they rag doll them out of the shells and then do it again and slurp them down. Stringy foods like shrimp can be caught in their teeth for days!

That is where my theory of using the glass to clean their teeth came in. I am sure since they are wild caught that they instinctively do this against the banks when they feel threatened, thus kicking up mud to obscure the predator's sight but also to clear their teeth in case they have to bite back.

Just an idea but it makes scene.

[~reefchik~]

No help or advise at all, but just LOL at that funny photo! I agree, POTM for sure!

[Brandon8521]

Do the teeth on the teeth (lol just sounds funny) enterlock. It could be to help them grow at the same rate or something. You can see how they kinda grow apart from each other so maybe they enterlock further up.

[pufferpuggirl]

That is a very interesting picture J-P. I had no idea about the serrated teeth. See, once again, I've learned something I previously did not know. And who said us old dogs can't learn new things? Ha!