Alligator and Crocodile Teeth "Exploding"

[Sabre]

The term "exploding" is a bit dramatic. But, cracking is not the right word either.

I have noticed many times when I have seen alligator skulls, I often see, on the table around them, little enamel fragments all around the mouth. And if you look close, you can see little missing enamel fragments on the teeth. Some of these fragments end up quite far away. It seems when they chip/pop off they can fly pretty far.

I have noticed this on a very large alligator skull I have, but not on a smaller one.

Also, one time I went to a taxidermist who had just had a client come in and tell them all the teeth on his large alligator skull were exploding and wearing away. He had left the skull there and I saw the same thing I have seen on many others and on my own. The client described the same experience as well.

I figure it has something to do with changes in humidity like often causes predator canine teeth to crack/split. However, I have kept the alligator skull in a humidity controlled environment, and while it may have reduced the number of small fragments, it certainly hasn't stopped.

Does anyone know anything about this or have you done anything to remedy it that has worked. I do have an idea that I think will likely fix the issue. But it's a bit involved. So, I'm interested if other people have experienced it and stopped it.



Also: Has anyone seen this same phenomenon on crocodile teeth?

 

[matt85]

Could be a case of them slowly drying out and shrinking. Outside enamel will be harder and more brittle, thus cracking and popping off.

But thats just an offhand guess. Hopefully someone with more knowledge will chime in.

 

[Scott CWO]

The term "exploding" is a bit dramatic. But, cracking is not the right word either.

I have noticed many times when I have seen alligator skulls, I often see, on the table around them, little enamel fragments all around the mouth. And if you look close, you can see little missing enamel fragments on the teeth. Some of these fragments end up quite far away. It seems when they chip/pop off they can fly pretty far.

I have noticed this on a very large alligator skull I have, but not on a smaller one.

Also, one time I went to a taxidermist who had just had a client come in and tell them all the teeth on his large alligator skull were exploding and wearing away. He had left the skull there and I saw the same thing I have seen on many others and on my own. The client described the same experience as well.

I figure it has something to do with changes in humidity like often causes predator canine teeth to crack/split. However, I have kept the alligator skull in a humidity controlled environment, and while it may have reduced the number of small fragments, it certainly hasn't stopped.

Does anyone know anything about this or have you done anything to remedy it that has worked. I do have an idea that I think will likely fix the issue. But it's a bit involved. So, I'm interested if other people have experienced it and stopped it.



Also: Has anyone seen this same phenomenon on crocodile teeth?

The teeth dry out and shrink a bit. To help mitigate this problem, I put clear nail polish on the teeth on all my skulls every couple of years. It’s not a complete cure but definitely helps. I’ve had some cracking but haven’t lost any teeth like I did in the past. It’s best to start immediately after you get the skulls home.

 

[JimP]

From what I have found by doing euro mounts is if the skull is "boiled" too hard or long you'll have this type of a problem.

 

[Scott CWO]

I’ve seen this happen to skulls cleaned by beetles as well. They all dry out.

 

[pilar]

I’ve had this problem with larger hogs tusk , after a couple years they will just split

 

[Sabre]

From what I have found by doing euro mounts is if the skull is "boiled" too hard or long you'll have this type of a problem.

I’ve seen this happen to skulls cleaned by beetles as well. They all dry out.

The larger alligator skull I have that is doing this was done with beetles.

 

[steve white]

What could be applied to normalize the moisture content? Sort of like putting linseed oil on dry wood?

 

[Sarg]

Unfortunately very common, right up to Hippo Tusks & yes I had a set actually explode, I shoot a huge Boar between clients (my largest at the time) quickly boiled out the tusks & put them on my bed in my tent, took the hunter out for morning hunt, upon my return ducked into my super hot tent & all over were ivory fragments, looked like someone had smashed them up with a hammer, this was a extremely long time ago & I know now that most tusks & teeth crack over time, at first I filled with Liquid Nails & Silicone but best is Candle Wax the paraffin fills them & I presume soaks into the Dentin, I do this to all our clients tusks, immediately after cleaning & drying then, none have split since, my large Croc has liquid nails & is cracking now but I can’t remove & add wax now !

 

[Scott CWO]

Unfortunately very common, right up to Hippo Tusks & yes I had a set actually explode, I shoot a huge Boar between clients (my largest at the time) quickly boiled out the tusks & put them on my bed in my tent, took the hunter out for morning hunt, upon my return ducked into my super hot tent & all over were ivory fragments, looked like someone had smashed them up with a hammer, this was a extremely long time ago & I know now that most tusks & teeth crack over time, at first I filled with Liquid Nails & Silicone but best is Candle Wax the paraffin fills them & I presume soaks into the Dentin, I do this to all our clients tusks, immediately after cleaning & drying then, none have split since, my large Croc has liquid nails & is cracking now but I can’t remove & add wax now !

How do you apply the wax exactly?

 

[Sarg]

How do you apply the wax exactly?

Well I light the candle & drip it in if doing pig tusks, if I was doing Hippo or full skull of Croc teeth I’d melt in a tin can & pour in each one .