From NewScientist (3 August 2024):
The Komodo dragon, one of the planet’s fiercest reptiles, reinforces its teeth with an iron cap – and researchers think some dinosaurs may have had this adaptation too. …
Compared with human teeth, Komodo dragon enamel is incredibly thin, says [Aaron LeBlanc of King’s College London]. Along the serrations, the enamel is only 20 micrometres thick – about a quarter of the thickness of a human hair. The enamel in human teeth is about 100 times thicker.
The iron layer in Komodo dragon teeth is coated on top of this extremely thin layer of enamel. The team think it either gives the enamel extra strength to protect serrations while eating prey or acts as a barrier against acidic digestive juices.
One of the most dangerous critters in the world, and it turns out they’re seriously goth.
