The Lifelong Mystery of Retaining Baby Teeth

Tasmanian devils are an exception to the mammalian rule of having two sets of teeth in a lifetime. Unlike humans and most mammals, Tasmanian devils have only one set of teeth that gradually erupts from the gums as they age. This unique evolutionary solution to having teeth in growing animals is different from what we are familiar with. While humans benefit from having a trial run of baby teeth that fit our small jaws, the idea of having a single set of teeth throughout life raises interesting considerations about the pros and cons of our own dental development.