Quick answer
An adult lion has 30 teeth, including four large canines that can grow to around 7 cm (2.7 in) long. The canines deliver the killing bite, while scissor-like carnassial teeth shear meat from the carcass. A lion's jaw moves only up and down, so it cannot chew — it slices and swallows. Bite force is estimated at roughly 650 psi, powerful but built more for a precise suffocating grip than for crushing.
Lion teeth at a glance
| Total adult teeth | 30 (12 incisors, 4 canines, 10 premolars, 4 molars) |
| Milk teeth (cubs) | 26, replaced by 11–15 months old |
| Canine length | Up to ~7 cm (2.7 in) of exposed crown |
| Key cutting teeth | Carnassials (modified premolar and molar) |
| Bite force (estimated) | ~650 psi (~4,500 N) |
| Jaw movement | Vertical only — no side-to-side grinding |
| Main purpose | Grip, puncture, and shear meat |
The 30 teeth and what each one does
A lion's 30 permanent teeth are arranged for a single job: processing meat. At the front, twelve small incisors are used for nibbling scraps off bone and for grooming. Behind them sit the four canines — the unmistakable fangs that do the killing. The cheek teeth, ten premolars and four molars, finish the job of cutting flesh into swallowable pieces.
Cubs are born without teeth. A set of 26 deciduous (milk) teeth comes in over the first weeks, and these are gradually pushed out and replaced by the full adult set between roughly 11 and 15 months. By the time a young lion is learning to hunt, its permanent weaponry is in place.
Canines: the killing bite
The canines are the longest and strongest teeth in a lion's mouth, with an exposed crown of around 7 cm and a root that anchors deep in the jaw. They are slightly curved and conical — ideal for sinking into a struggling animal and holding on. Sensitive nerves around the base help the lion feel exactly where its teeth are biting, so it can adjust its grip on the windpipe or muzzle.
Lions usually kill not by crushing but by suffocation. After bringing down large prey such as zebra or buffalo, a lion clamps its canines over the victim's throat or closes the muzzle shut, cutting off air. The wide gap between the canines and cheek teeth lets the cat get a deep, secure hold without its other teeth getting in the way.
Carnassials, bite force, and feeding
Once prey is dead, the carnassial teeth take over. These are a specialised pair — a large upper premolar working against a lower molar — that pass each other like the blades of scissors. They slice through hide, muscle, and tendon, letting a lion strip a carcass quickly before scavengers arrive. Because the jaw cannot move sideways, lions tilt their heads to bring these side teeth to bear, which is why a feeding lion looks like it is chewing with the corner of its mouth.
A lion's bite force is estimated at around 650 psi. That is formidable, but pound for pound it is weaker than that of a jaguar or a spotted hyena — animals that routinely crack bone. The lion's success comes from cooperative hunting, body mass, and the precise application of those canines rather than raw crushing strength.
Teeth are also a lion's weak point as it ages. Decades of biting bone and fighting wear down enamel, snap canines, and expose roots to infection. A lion that can no longer kill cleanly may starve — and broken teeth are one of the factors that can push an old or injured lion toward slower, easier prey.
Lion teeth: FAQs
How many teeth does a lion have?
An adult lion has 30 teeth: 12 incisors, 4 canines, 10 premolars, and 4 molars. That is fewer than a human's 32 and reflects a mouth built for gripping and slicing meat rather than grinding plants. Lion cubs are born toothless and grow a set of 26 milk teeth, which are replaced by the permanent 30 between roughly 11 and 15 months of age.
How long are a lion's canine teeth?
A lion's four canines can reach around 7 cm (about 2.7 inches) of exposed crown, with a root that extends a similar distance into the jaw — so the whole tooth is much longer than the visible part. These are the longest, strongest teeth in the mouth and are the lion's primary killing tools, used to grip and puncture prey.
How strong is a lion's bite?
A lion's bite force is estimated at roughly 650 pounds per square inch (around 4,500 newtons), though published figures vary with measurement method. That is powerful, but lower than the bite of a jaguar or a spotted hyena relative to size — lions rely more on teamwork, body weight, and a precise suffocating bite than on sheer crushing power.
Do lions chew their food?
No. A lion's jaw can only move up and down, not side to side, so lions cannot grind food the way humans or grazing animals do. Their scissor-like carnassial teeth shear chunks of meat from a carcass, which the lion then swallows largely whole. This is why you often see lions tilting their heads to slice with the side of the mouth.
Why do old lions lose their teeth?
Years of biting bone, fighting rivals, and gripping struggling prey wear down and break a lion's teeth. Broken canines can become infected, and worn carnassials make it hard to feed efficiently. Tooth loss is a major reason ageing lions struggle to hunt large prey — and worn or damaged teeth are one factor linked to lions turning to easier targets, including livestock.
Are lion teeth bigger than tiger teeth?
They are very similar, but a tiger's canines are usually slightly longer, reaching up to around 9 cm versus roughly 7 cm in a lion. Both cats share the same dental layout of 30 teeth and the same killing strategy. The tiger is the larger cat overall, so it is not surprising its teeth edge out the lion's.