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Jaws of the Hare
You can see the teeth of the hare in the cutaway of the jaws. Note the “clipping”-oriented incisors, with the grinding-oriented molars. These are very similar to rodent teeth, having continually-growing incisors covered with enamel on the anterior surface, but with exposed dentine on the posterior surface. As dentine wears away much more easily than enamel, it serves as a “self-sharpening” system to keep the teeth in gnawing-condition.
Despite these similarities, the teeth of rodents and lagomorphs are the result of convergent evolution, rather than being closely related. The difference that first led scientists to believe this (before it was proved by analysis of the inner-ear bones and other anatomical features, and, much later, genetics) is that lagomorphia are far more herbivorous than rodentia, and as such, do not have pre-molars, or any evidence of having had them. Their palate anatomy and digestive tract differs significantly because of this.
The Handy Natural History. Ernest Protheroe, 1910.
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Skull of Chinese Water-Deer
Part of upper jaw cut away to show base of tusks.
The Chinese water deer is classified as a cervid, despite having tusks instead of antlers. They are only native to China and Korea, but there are feral populations in pockets of France and southern England.
The New Natural History of the World. Ernst Protheroe, 1910.
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Sheep Skull
The skull of the bighorn sheep is pretty awesome - it’s made specifically for an animal that vies for superiority by violently headbutting other animals. It’s a double-buttress, with honeycomb bone struts to reinforce it and absorb the blows.
The Handy Natural History. Ernest Protheroe, 1919.
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Hipitty hop, hipitty hop…
Jerboas can hop faster than a human can run! They don’t walk around like normal gerbils or mice, but walk upright or hop. They’re like little kangaroos!
