Do ducks have teeth like humans, with enamel-covered crowns and roots embedded in their jaws? Or is there a different structure in their mouths that might function similarly to teeth? If they don’t have true teeth, what do they have instead, and how does that structure help them eat different types of food, considering their varied diet of plants, insects, and other small aquatic creatures? Are there variations in these structures between different species of ducks, and does the presence or absence of teeth-like structures relate to their specific feeding habits?

Answer

Ducks do not have teeth in the way humans or other mammals do. Instead, they possess lamellae, which are comb-like structures along the edges of their bills.

Details about Lamellae:

• Function: Lamellae function as strainers. Ducks use them to filter food (seeds, insects, aquatic plants) from the water and mud. They take water and mud into their mouths and then use their tongues to push the water out through the lamellae, trapping the food inside.
• Structure: Lamellae are made of keratin, the same material as human fingernails and bird feathers. They are not hard like teeth but are more flexible and ridged.
• Appearance: They appear as small, tooth-like projections along the inside edges of the duck’s bill.
• Variation: The size and spacing of lamellae can vary depending on the duck species and their diet. For example, ducks that primarily feed on small seeds may have finer lamellae than those that consume larger invertebrates.
• Grit: Ducks also swallow small pebbles and grit, which are stored in their gizzard. These help to grind up the food further after it has been initially processed by the lamellae.
• Tomia: The sharp edges of a duck’s bill are called tomia. These edges may also have serrations or small projections that aid in grasping and tearing vegetation or prey. While not teeth, these structures contribute to the duck’s ability to process food.