![]() A bull tooth has a wide root and is generally larger overall. What is the difference between a bull and a cow tooth? Once you know the difference, they are easy to spot. Some native people call this the “moccasin” as it resembles the sole of a moccasin in color and shape. Primarily the jeweler is concerned with the appearance of the coloring and rings on the bottom of the crown. prized by non native people for their rarity and trophy value. Adding to their scarcity, the ivories are kept as trophies by the hunter and are used by jewelry makers to make rings, necklace charms, etc. Therefore, GOOD teeth can be very expensive and more of a valuable commodity. So not only do you get just 2 teeth out of an elk, depending on the age, the tooth may not be that valuable. After 7 years they start to wear down the ivory down due to grinding, which makes the ivory less valuable. When the elk is mature (4-7) years the tooth is solid and most prime, and the bull elk tooth develops two points on the root. Because they are hollow they are not as valuable as more mature elk teeth and the hollow root is filled with a sac of blood that turns dark and discolors the tooth if not removed during cleaning. Often when the hollow ivories are removed, the teeth are damaged and broken. When the elk is young (1-4 years), the ivories are hollow. Why are elk ivories so expensive? Since an elk only produces 2 ivories, they are not easy to come by, they are also not easy or fun to clean. Elk and walrus are the only animals in North America that have ivory tusks. Elk have other teeth, but they are made of enamel and resemble the teeth of other herbivores. Modern elk, when threatened, will snarl and expose their ivories, which was probably more impressive when they were elongated tusks. The ivories are where the canine teeth are and are left over from their ancient ancestors who had tusks where the ivory teeth are today. How many ivories are in an Elk’s mouth? An elk has only 2 ivories, situated forward in its upper jaw, an elk has no upper front teeth.
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