What is different in the mouth structure of cattle?

Cattle, like all ruminant animals, have a unique mouth structure that allows them to efficiently chew and digest their food. Cattle have a special type of dentition known as a dental pad, which is located on the upper front part of their mouth. This dental pad acts as a hard surface against which the lower teeth can grind against when chewing. Cattle do not have upper incisors like humans, but they do have lower incisors that help them grasp and tear food.

Cattle also have a special chewing mechanism called rumination, which involves regurgitating and re-chewing their food multiple times to break it down further for digestion. This process allows cattle to effectively extract nutrients from fibrous plant material and tough grasses.

In addition, cattle have a strong jaw that enables them to bite and chew tough vegetation. Their jaw muscles are well-developed and provide a powerful bite force to break down food. Cattle also have a complex system of salivary glands that produce saliva to help soften and lubricate their food for easier swallowing.

Overall, the mouth structure of cattle is specifically adapted for their herbivorous diet and efficient digestion of plant material.