Why can the teeth of a Chauliodus sloani not fit inside its mouth when closed?
Answer
They are disproportionately long and must fit into grooves on the roof of the mouth
The teeth of Chauliodus sloani are exceptionally long and needle-sharp to ensure they can secure rare, large prey in a resource-scarce environment. Because these fangs are too long to be contained within the oral cavity when the mouth is shut, they are accommodated by specialized grooves located on the roof of the mouth. In some cases, these teeth even pierce through the upper jaw, reflecting an evolutionary prioritization of feeding efficiency over having a streamlined, closed-jaw profile.
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