* . *
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact
Sunday, June 22, 2025
Earth-News
  • Home
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    Netflix unveils Dallas immersive venue for fans of hit shows like ‘Squid Game,’ ‘Stranger Things’ – Houston Chronicle

    Step Inside Netflix’s New Dallas Immersive Experience Featuring Hits Like ‘Squid Game’ and ‘Stranger Things

    ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’: Civic Players bring ‘Young Frankenstein’ to life – Yahoo

    Civic Players Deliver a Hilarious and Unforgettable Performance of ‘Young Frankenstein

    ‘Wheel of Fortune’: Amputee Wins $60,000 After Breaking Incredible ‘Curse’ – Hastings Tribune

    Wheel of Fortune’ Amputee Breaks Incredible ‘Curse’ to Win $60,000!

    North Star Sports & Entertainment Network: Coming soon – KTTC News

    North Star Sports & Entertainment Network: Coming soon – KTTC News

    Safety concerns in Deep Ellum create apprehension as the entertainment district gains visitors – CBS News

    Safety Concerns Surge Amid Deep Ellum’s Booming Popularity and Growing Crowds

    Elisabeth Moss’ ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ Emmy chances, by the numbers – Yahoo

    Elisabeth Moss’ ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ Emmy chances, by the numbers – Yahoo

  • General
  • Health
  • News

    Cracking the Code: Why China’s Economic Challenges Aren’t Shaking Markets, Unlike America’s” – Bloomberg

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Trending Tags

    • Trump Inauguration
    • United Stated
    • White House
    • Market Stories
    • Election Results
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Technology
    Tech Champions with Leo Bletnitsky of Healthy Technology Solutions – Buzz Media Group

    Meet Tech Champion Leo Bletnitsky of Healthy Technology Solutions

    Crypto’s true revolution is about humanity, not technology – Cointelegraph

    Crypto’s Real Revolution: Transforming Humanity Beyond Technology

    $1 Billion Problem: New Technology Could Save Your Daily Cup of Coffee – SciTechDaily

    The $1 Billion Challenge: How New Technology Could Rescue Your Daily Cup of Coffee

    Canada’s construction industry gets serious about investing in technology as pressure mounts to do more with less – Yahoo Finance

    Canada’s Construction Industry Accelerates Tech Investments to Overcome Growing Challenges and Boost Efficiency

    Workforce Technology Eases Staffing Shortages in Rural Health Care – AJMC

    Workforce Technology Eases Staffing Shortages in Rural Health Care – AJMC

    Get the lead out: Putting new at-home lead testing technology to the test | Denver7 Investigates – Denver7

    Putting the Latest At-Home Lead Testing Technology to the Ultimate Test

    Trending Tags

    • Nintendo Switch
    • CES 2017
    • Playstation 4 Pro
    • Mark Zuckerberg
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    Netflix unveils Dallas immersive venue for fans of hit shows like ‘Squid Game,’ ‘Stranger Things’ – Houston Chronicle

    Step Inside Netflix’s New Dallas Immersive Experience Featuring Hits Like ‘Squid Game’ and ‘Stranger Things

    ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’: Civic Players bring ‘Young Frankenstein’ to life – Yahoo

    Civic Players Deliver a Hilarious and Unforgettable Performance of ‘Young Frankenstein

    ‘Wheel of Fortune’: Amputee Wins $60,000 After Breaking Incredible ‘Curse’ – Hastings Tribune

    Wheel of Fortune’ Amputee Breaks Incredible ‘Curse’ to Win $60,000!

    North Star Sports & Entertainment Network: Coming soon – KTTC News

    North Star Sports & Entertainment Network: Coming soon – KTTC News

    Safety concerns in Deep Ellum create apprehension as the entertainment district gains visitors – CBS News

    Safety Concerns Surge Amid Deep Ellum’s Booming Popularity and Growing Crowds

    Elisabeth Moss’ ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ Emmy chances, by the numbers – Yahoo

    Elisabeth Moss’ ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ Emmy chances, by the numbers – Yahoo

  • General
  • Health
  • News

    Cracking the Code: Why China’s Economic Challenges Aren’t Shaking Markets, Unlike America’s” – Bloomberg

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Trending Tags

    • Trump Inauguration
    • United Stated
    • White House
    • Market Stories
    • Election Results
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Technology
    Tech Champions with Leo Bletnitsky of Healthy Technology Solutions – Buzz Media Group

    Meet Tech Champion Leo Bletnitsky of Healthy Technology Solutions

    Crypto’s true revolution is about humanity, not technology – Cointelegraph

    Crypto’s Real Revolution: Transforming Humanity Beyond Technology

    $1 Billion Problem: New Technology Could Save Your Daily Cup of Coffee – SciTechDaily

    The $1 Billion Challenge: How New Technology Could Rescue Your Daily Cup of Coffee

    Canada’s construction industry gets serious about investing in technology as pressure mounts to do more with less – Yahoo Finance

    Canada’s Construction Industry Accelerates Tech Investments to Overcome Growing Challenges and Boost Efficiency

    Workforce Technology Eases Staffing Shortages in Rural Health Care – AJMC

    Workforce Technology Eases Staffing Shortages in Rural Health Care – AJMC

    Get the lead out: Putting new at-home lead testing technology to the test | Denver7 Investigates – Denver7

    Putting the Latest At-Home Lead Testing Technology to the Ultimate Test

    Trending Tags

    • Nintendo Switch
    • CES 2017
    • Playstation 4 Pro
    • Mark Zuckerberg
No Result
View All Result
Earth-News
No Result
View All Result
Home Science

Komodo Dragons’ Nightmare Iron-Tipped Teeth Are a Reptilian First

July 29, 2024
in Science
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Komodo Dragons’ Nightmare Iron-Tipped Teeth Are a Reptilian First

Reptile teeth have long been considered simple and cheap because the animals replace them regularly. That isn’t so, Komodo dragons show

By Meghan Bartels

Komodo dragon on a rock with open mouth

An adult Komodo dragon seen at a zoo.

Jürgen & Christine Sohns/imageBROKER.com GmbH & Co. KG/Alamy Stock Photo

There aren’t many scenarios in which getting a good look at a bunch of Komodo dragon teeth ends well. The massive lizard’s mouth holds 60 serrated teeth, each up to an inch long, that get replenished throughout the creature’s life. And dangling from the serrations are the remains of previous meals, plus dozens of bacteria that feast on them.

To be fair, Aaron LeBlanc, a paleontologist at King’s College London, got his close look at Komodo dragon teeth minus the grizzly decor and detached from their ferocious owners. His examinations paid off. “Every now and then, I would see this sort of orange discoloration to the outer layer of the teeth,” LeBlanc says. “I honestly probably saw it three, four times and just dismissed it as staining from feeding.”

But closer inspection proved that the orange hue LeBlanc saw on the serrations and tips of Komodo dragon teeth was iron that was present before they ever took a bite. The result, described in research published on July 24 in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution, is the first confirmed finding of iron chompers in reptiles. (Some fish and salamanders, as well as a handful of mammals—most notably beavers—are also known to include iron in their teeth.)

On supporting science journalism

If you’re enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

Reptilian teeth have long been considered simple and cheap because they grow quickly and get replaced several times throughout their owner’s life. Research like that in the new paper is changing that perception, however. “We’re basically just starting to scratch the surface into how complex reptile teeth can actually be,” says Kirstin Brink, a paleontologist at the University of Manitoba, who studies teeth but was not involved in the new study. “Now that we’re starting to actually take a closer look at different reptiles, we’re finding all of these really cool adaptations.”

Komodo dragon teeth

Close-up images showing orange serrations running down the front and back of a Komodo dragon tooth.

“Iron-coated Komodo Dragon Teeth and the Complex Dental Enamel of Carnivorous Reptiles,” by A.R.H. LeBlanc et al., in Nature Ecology & Evolution. Published online July 24, 2024

Komodo dragons, which can grow up to 10 feet long and live on a few islands in Indonesia, are typical reptiles in terms of teeth replacement, LeBlanc says. “They’re basically tooth factories,” he adds. The tip of each pointed tooth curves back into the animal’s mouth, which allows it to tear off and swallow large chunks of meat. And the iron reinforcement is strategic as well, LeBlanc says. The orange detailing precisely marks a single line of serration running down the front and back of each tooth—with the serrations more pronounced on the back—and marks the tooth’s tip: puncture, pull, swallow, repeat.

LeBlanc was drawn to the giant lizards’ teeth because of their pointed, curved profile, which would look at home in the smiles of even more fearsome animals: dinosaurs. Such comparisons are a valuable approach for paleontologists, Brink notes. “When we’re studying fossils, especially when we’re trying to interpret behaviors which we can no longer observe because the animals are dead, we have to look to modern analogues,” she says.

Inspired by the Komodo dragon finding, LeBlanc and his colleagues looked for signs of similar iron reinforcement in the teeth of other living reptiles and dinosaurs. They discovered that a few different species of monitor lizards had the adaptation, though to a lesser extent, and that some crocodilians showed signs of iron in their teeth as well. For the dinosaur teeth, the team found iron throughout, but think it was likely deposited from the fossilization process, given the abundance of iron on Earth’s surface. “Iron is probably the worst thing to look at in fossil reptile teeth,” LeBlanc says. “If you bury a dinosaur tooth in the ground for tens of millions of years, iron will eventually seep into every nook and cranny.”

Still, he and Brinks agree, the research suggests that scientists should take a closer look at teeth in living reptiles and dinosaurs alike, with eyes peeled for unexpected dental adaptations like those of the Komodo dragon. “We shouldn’t take for granted how complex reptile teeth can be,” LeBlanc says.

>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : Scientific American – https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/komodo-dragons-nightmare-iron-tipped-teeth-are-a-reptilian-first/

Tags: DragonsKomodoscience
Previous Post

Long COVID Is Serious and Complex but Becoming Less Likely

Next Post

Basic Income Gives Money without Strings. Here’s How People Spend It

When Technology Meets Ecology: Charting a Bold Path for Our Planet’s Future

June 21, 2025
‘Jaws’ at 50: Scientists Are Still Studying the Mysteries of Sharks – The New York Times

Jaws at 50: Exploring the Timeless Mysteries of Sharks

June 21, 2025
A Cracked Piece of Metal Self-Healed in Experiment That Stunned Scientists – ScienceAlert

Self-Healing Metal: The Revolutionary Experiment That Amazed Scientists

June 21, 2025
How leading Bollywood actresses are adopting one transformative lifestyle shift – Times of India

How Leading Bollywood Actresses Are Fearlessly Embracing a Bold New Lifestyle Transformation

June 21, 2025
Muskego mom breaks world record in planking – WISN

Muskego mom breaks world record in planking – WISN

June 21, 2025
Russian Minister Warns of Recession as Officials Spar on Economy – Bloomberg

Russian Minister Issues Recession Warning Amid Heated Economic Debate

June 21, 2025
Netflix unveils Dallas immersive venue for fans of hit shows like ‘Squid Game,’ ‘Stranger Things’ – Houston Chronicle

Step Inside Netflix’s New Dallas Immersive Experience Featuring Hits Like ‘Squid Game’ and ‘Stranger Things

June 21, 2025
Breakfast key to meeting daily fiber needs amid American ‘health crisis’ – Fox News

How Breakfast Can Help You Crush Your Daily Fiber Goals During America’s Health Crisis

June 21, 2025
A Senator Who Was on a Hit List Fears the Fueling of Political Violence – The New York Times

Senator on Hit List Sounds Alarm Over Escalating Political Violence

June 21, 2025
Should You Buy Micron Technology Stock Before June 25? – The Motley Fool

Is Now the Perfect Moment to Invest in Micron Technology Before June 25?

June 21, 2025

Categories

Archives

June 2025
MTWTFSS
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30 
« May    
Earth-News.info

The Earth News is an independent English-language daily published Website from all around the World News

Browse by Category

  • Business (20,132)
  • Ecology (696)
  • Economy (710)
  • Entertainment (21,611)
  • General (15,499)
  • Health (9,751)
  • Lifestyle (715)
  • News (22,149)
  • People (713)
  • Politics (717)
  • Science (15,930)
  • Sports (21,206)
  • Technology (15,695)
  • World (690)

Recent News

When Technology Meets Ecology: Charting a Bold Path for Our Planet’s Future

June 21, 2025
‘Jaws’ at 50: Scientists Are Still Studying the Mysteries of Sharks – The New York Times

Jaws at 50: Exploring the Timeless Mysteries of Sharks

June 21, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact

© 2023 earth-news.info

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 earth-news.info

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 earth-news.info

Go to mobile version