Rabbits have teeth that keep growing throughout their lives and wear down by chewing.

The longer version

Rabbits belong to a group of mammals whose incisors are open rooted, meaning the tooth has no closed base and continues to produce enamel and dentine throughout life. Constant eruption would quickly become a problem without something to wear it away.

That something is the diet itself. Grasses, bark and fibrous stems are tough and slightly abrasive, and the characteristic sideways grinding motion of a rabbit's jaw files the front teeth down as they meet. Softer layers of dentine behind hard enamel wear faster, which keeps a naturally sharp, chiselled edge. Growth and wear normally stay in balance, so the length of the teeth remains steady over time.

Where this entry sits

This collection gathers small surprises about mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish, insects, and the pets living alongside people. Expect odd details about senses, anatomy, and everyday behaviour that many people never notice in the animals around them. The full list sits on the Animals page, where every entry is listed in order.