Both sheep and goats have a total of 32 teeth. They do not have any upper incisors. The dental formula for sheep and goats is as follows: 0/4 incisors, 3/3 pre-molars, 3/3 molars.
The first number in each formula represents how many sets of teeth are on the upper jaw; the second number indicates how many sets of teeth are on the lower jaw. For example, the 0/4 means that sheep/goats have no upper incisors, but have 4 sets of lower incisors (8 lower incisors in all).
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Most of the time the dental formula looks like this 2 (0/4 incisors, 3/3 pre-molars, 3/3 molars) = 32. All baby sheep and goats are born with deciduous teeth (teeth that will fall out). Deciduous teeth are much smaller than permanent teeth. The deciduous teeth are replaced with permanent teeth as the animal ages.
Procedure
Table: Sheep and Goat Dentition
Permanent Tooth Eruption in Sheep and GoatsPermanenttoothAgeatEruptionIncisor (I1)1-1.5 yearsIncisor (I2)1.5-2 yearsIncisor (I3)2.5-3 yearsIncisor (I4)3.5-4 yearsPremolars1.5-2 yearsMolar (M1)3 monthsMolar (M2)9-12 monthsMolar (M3)1.5-2 years
Sheep Dentition
Two incisors are permanent (black arrows). All the incisors are permanent and worn.
The black arrow shows where this goat is missing an incisor tooth.
Fig. 5: Dentition of a 6-8 year old sheep
Table 4: Cattle Dentition
Cattle age at occurrenceTeethEruptionFull developmentWearIncisorsPinchers18 to 24 months24 monthsLeveled at 5 to 6 years, noticeable wear at 7 to 8 years1st intermediate pair24 to 30 months36 monthsLeveled at 6 to 7 years, noticeable wear at 8 to 9 years2nd intermediate pair
36 months48 monthsLeveled at 7 to 8 years, noticeable wear at 8 to 9 yearsCorners42 to 48 months60 monthsLeveled 9 years, noticeable wear at 10 yearsPremolars1st cheek tooth pair24 to 30 months
2nd cheek tooth pair18 to 30 months3rd cheek tooth pair30 to 36 monthsMolars4th cheek tooth pair5 to 6 months5th cheek tooth pair12 to 18 months6th cheek tooth pair24 to 30 months
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Frequently Asked Questions
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