Compare herbivores and carnivores in dentition

The dentition (teeth arrangement) of herbivores and carnivores reflects their distinct diets.

• Herbivores: Have broad, flat incisors for cutting grass and large, ridged molars for grinding plant material. The canines are either small or absent. The jaw movement is side-to-side, allowing chewing and grinding of cellulose-rich food. Examples: cow, horse, rabbit.
• Carnivores: Have sharp, pointed canines for tearing flesh and blade-like premolars and molars (called carnassial teeth) for slicing meat. Their jaw movement is up-and-down for biting and cutting rather than grinding. Examples: tiger, dog, lion.

This difference in dentition is an excellent example of evolutionary adaptation to diet and feeding behaviour.