noun
- Specialized teeth in carnivorous mammals, typically the last upper premolar and first lower molar, adapted for shearing meat.
Usage: plural form; used in zoology and veterinary science; singular: carnassial
Examples
- Lions use their carnassials to slice through the flesh of their prey with precision.
- The carnassials of dogs are positioned to work like scissors when the jaw closes.
- Veterinarians examine a cat's carnassials to assess dental health.
- Carnassials are a key adaptation that distinguishes true carnivores from other mammals.
- The sharp edges of carnassials allow wolves to process large kills efficiently.