Llama Teeth: Dental Anatomy & What They use Fighting Teeth For

Llamas (Lama glama) are typically found in mountainous deserts and grasslands. They belong to the Camelidae family, which also includes alpacas, camels, and vicuñas. Llamas were domesticated from guanacos (L. guanicoe) 4,000 to 6,000 years ago by the indigenous peoples of South America’s Andean highlands. Llamas have a highly specialized digestive system that differs slightly from those of ruminants such as sheep, cattle, and goats. Continue reading to learn about llama teeth and their utility.

How Many Teeth Do Llamas Have?

Llamas have a total of 28 to 32 permanent teeth. On each side of the lower jaw, they have three incisors, one canine, one to two premolars, and three molars. For the upper jaw, llamas have a tough dental pad instead of front incisors. However, there are two canine-like incisors in the upper jaw located behind the dental pad. This differs from ruminants, such as sheep, that completely lack upper incisors. Additionally, each side of a llama’s upper jaw has one canine, one to two premolars, and three molars.

The lower canines and sometimes the incisors can grow incredibly long and sharp, and are known as fighting teeth. This is especially true for males. Llama incisors typically have enamel, which prevents the teeth from growing continuously. However, male llamas often need their fighting teeth trimmed to prevent injuries. Additionally, malocclusions such as misaligned teeth and underbites can cause incisor overgrowth in llamas of either sex.

What Do Llamas Use Their Teeth For?

Llamas are herbivores that primarily graze on grass, hay, shrubs, and wildflowers. When grazing, llamas press their lower incisors against their dental pads to effectively cut and tear grass. Their premolars and molars are then used to crush and grind up their food. Then, similar to ruminants, llamas regurgitate their food after it has fermented in the first chamber of their stomach. Ruminants have four-chambered stomachs, whereas llamas have three-chambered stomachs. Therefore, llamas are not ruminants, but they can be considered pseudoruminants because they have multi-chambered stomachs that ferment plant matter, which they regurgitate as cud to rechew. This complicated digestive process is more effective at absorbing nutrients from plant matter compared to other herbivores.

What Are Llamas’ Fighting Teeth For?

Llamas can have three pairs of fighting teeth, consisting of one pair of upper canines, one pair of lower canines, and one pair of upper modified incisors. These teeth are only considered fighting teeth when they are long and sharp. Therefore, crias lack fighting teeth. Fighting teeth primarily occur in males, but females occasionally develop them. Male llamas use them to fight other males, which is why they are referred to as fighting teeth. These fights can be quite bloody. Even when not being used for combat, these teeth are so long and incredibly sharp that they can accidentally injure caretakers and other llamas. Therefore, llamas often have their fighting teeth trimmed or removed entirely.