Tooth Fairies

When I went to check on the herd I happened to look down and see something that didn't belong in the field.  At first I thought it was a candy wrapper that had blown in from the road.

I looked closer and closer...

Do you know what it is?

I soon realized that "someone" had lost a tooth.

Its a big one.      The root faces toward the right.

This is under the root.

And this is the top of the tooth. The part that crushes the grass before they swallow it.

Looks like a wisdom tooth molar and it has a little wear.

Most cows start showing signs of loosing their teeth or wearing them down when they are around 8 years of age or older. Of course this all depends on where they are raised and the types of forage they eat.

I was also told that at around 18 months to 2 years young cattle loose their teeth as well, like we loose our baby teeth. The way they shed those baby teeth isn't like a tooth falls out and then one grows in. The new tooth is growing in under the old one and pushes the baby tooth out.

This tooth looks like a molar from one of the young heifers, or Shorty the steer.

I will have to take a look at their mouths someday soon.

This tooth would be very difficult to make into a necklace. It also was very painful when it was in my pants pocket. Those roots are sharp!!

I left a sweet cracker in the place of the tooth when I picked it up. The Tooth Fairy always delivers!

Have you ever found a tooth from one of your animals?
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