As they mature, white sharks grow a new type of tooth - for cutting through bone

Great white sharks develop a fundamentally different type of teeth as they mature, allowing them to effectively cut through the flesh and even bone of large prey.

Scientists came to this conclusion after analysing changes in the shape and location of teeth in almost a hundred individuals. The study is published in the journal Ecology and Evolution.

The white shark is considered one of the ocean's most advanced predators, and its teeth have long attracted the attention of scientists. However, until now, little was known about how teeth change within a single jaw and at different stages of the animal's life.

The authors studied the teeth of nearly 100 great white sharks of different ages and sizes and found clear patterns. The shape of the teeth changes markedly both along the jaw - from anterior to posterior - and as the shark grows.

The front six teeth on each side of the jaw have a symmetrical triangular shape and are well suited for grasping, piercing and initially cutting prey. Further down the jaw, the teeth become more blade-shaped, making them effective for tearing and dissecting tissue - similar to how in humans, different teeth perform different functions.

The most dramatic changes occur when the shark reaches a length of about three metres. At this age, juveniles switch from feeding on fish and squid to hunting marine mammals such as seals, dolphins and even whales.

The teeth of young sharks are narrower and often have small lateral protrusions - "teeth", which help to hold slippery prey. As they grow, these elements disappear, and the teeth become wider, thicker and covered with serrations, becoming a powerful tool for cutting through dense flesh and bone.

The scientists also revealed the specialisation of individual teeth. The four central teeth are noticeably thicker at the base and probably take the brunt of the first attack. Other teeth, angled at an angle, may play a key role in holding back resisting prey.

Additional differences are found between the upper and lower jaws. The lower teeth are designed more for grasping and holding, while the upper teeth are for cutting and dismembering prey, making the white shark's bite particularly effective.

The authors emphasise that the white shark's teeth are not just replaceable weapons, but a kind of chronicle of the predator's life. The constant replacement of teeth allows not only to compensate for wear and tear, but also to adapt their shape to the changing diet at different stages of development.

The study helps to better understand how white sharks maintain their status as the ocean's top predators and how finely their anatomy is adapted to lifestyle changes with age.