Orca Teeth and Poor Oral Health

A presentation of poor dentition in captive orcas (Killer Whales)

1. Orca Teeth
A presentation of poor dentition of
captive orcas

2. Nootka 5
Virtually all teeth worn to the gum line

3. Few people are aware that captive orcas routinely have holes drilled in their teeth

4. Broken and fractured teeth from threat displays known as "jaw popping"

5. Shouka- Six Flags
Bottom teeth are virtually non-existent

7. Tilikum
Decimated lower jaw

8. Tilikum

9. Chomping on steel gates in an effort to establish dominance contributes to damage

10. Taima
Core holes in teeth.
20 year old Taima died in June, 2010 while giving birth. Her calf did not survive.

13. Taima

15. Left: Teeth completely worn to jawRight: Healthy teeth before damage/wear

17. Katina

18. Tilikum

21. Contributors to the poor dentition include tooth grinding, flattening and drilling

22. Visible cores in teeth- lower jaw

23. Sumar
12 year old Sumar died in September 2010. Note the damage to bottom teeth

24. Corky

25. Sumar

26. The training and education staff at SeaWorld contends that
the thrice daily "tooth flushes" are "superior dental care"

28. Lovey (L) and Earth (R) - SeaWorld
Kamogawa, Japan

29. Tilikum
Completely worn lower jaw

30. Tilikum

31. Kalina

32. Kshamenk (Argentina)
Broken / worn front teeth