Wombats have teeth that never stop growing throughout their lives.

Wombats possess a unique dental structure known as elodont teeth, which are characterized by being rootless and ever-growing. This biological feature is essential because their primary diet consists of native grasses, sedges, and roots that contain high levels of silica. Silica is an abrasive mineral that acts like sandpaper, rapidly wearing down dental enamel during mastication.Unlike most mammals, wombats lack a traditional dental root that closes off growth after maturity. Instead, the tooth germ remains active, constantly pushing new tooth material upward from the jaw. This ensures that the animal maintains a functional grinding surface for its entire lifespan, which can reach up to 15 years in the wild or 30 years in captivity.Research published in journals such as the Australian Journal of Zoology highlights that this adaptation is common among herbivores with high-wear diets, including rodents and rabbits. However, for the wombat, which can weigh up to 35 kilograms, the scale of this dental maintenance is significant. If a wombat stops eating tough materials, its teeth can overgrow, leading to malocclusion and potential starvation.The three extant species of wombats, including the Common Wombat and the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat, all share this trait. Their teeth grow several centimeters per year to compensate for the constant grinding against tough Australian flora. This evolutionary solution allows them to thrive in environments where other grazing animals might struggle with tooth decay or loss.