Publishers Weekly
06/24/2024
Teeth have played an underappreciated role in vertebrate evolution, argues zoologist Schutt (Cannibalism) in this animated study. Exploring the various forms and uses of animal teeth, he explains that narwhal tusks are actually “modified upper canines” capable of detecting changes in salinity and describes how they’re used for “jousting,” in which males cross tusks in competition for mates. Many animals’ teeth evolved to enable particular diets, Schutt notes, discussing how prehistoric horses developed high-crowned teeth so they could handle the wear-and-tear from corrosive compounds in grass, and how vampire bats developed incisors sharp enough to draw blood undetected by their prey. Though the balance of the book focuses on cobras, lionfish, shrews, and other animals, Schutt also examines the role of teeth in human history, covering the ancient Etruscan practice of wearing metal grills to signify status, George Washington’s dental woes, and the tooth fairy’s origins in a 1908 housekeeping column. Schutt’s tone is dryly funny (after noting 18th-century French surgeon Pierre Fauchard’s recommendation that “his patients use their own urine as mouthwash,” Schutt remarks, “shockingly, many people stuck to alternatives like toothpicks”), and his conversational prose reads as if an erudite friend were explaining their life’s passion over drinks. Pop science aficionados will want to sink their teeth into this. Agent: Gillian MacKenzie, Gillian MacKenzie Agency. (Aug.)
From the Publisher
Who knew hagfish could be so interesting? Bite ranges across millions of years of evolution as Schutt explores the surprising importance of these stony nuggets inhabiting the mouths of animals. His writing is a mélange of science, history, and humor, as delightful to read as it is informative. Including a cast of quirky scientists as well as sharks, narwals and even George Washington, Schutt makes it all very accessible.” —Darrin Lunde, author of The Naturalist
“Bite is a comprehensive jaunt through comparative biology, history, and popular culture regarding those critical itty bits. Worth sinking your teeth into.” —Roy A. Meals, MD, author of Bones and Muscle
"A lively, deeply informed investigation of the origin, development, and significance of teeth... Schutt’s purview is wide ranging and his curiosity insatiable... A fascinating romp through evolutionary history."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Zoologist Schutt (Pump: A Natural History of the Heart, 2021) enthusiastically and wryly polishes the profile of dentition, including fangs and tusks. He examines the evolutionary origin of teeth, different types of teeth, and dental anatomy. Besides procuring and processing food, teeth can alter the environment, serve as defensive armaments, and play a role in mating behavior. Schutt studies the teeth of sharks, vampire bats, tiny shrews, humans, elephants, and snakes. Spinner dolphins lead all mammals with as many as 260 teeth, but one species of fish possesses about 550. Toothless critters include seahorses, modern birds, turtles, anteaters, and baleen whales. Contemplate that a king cobra can inject 1.5 teaspoons of neurotoxic venom into its victims with a single bite or that walruses use their tusks to help pull their big bodies from water to sea ice. Schutt reports on microbes inhabiting the human mouth, jaw muscles and bite forces, fluoridation of drinking water, dentistry in ancient times (not for the faint of heart), and George Washington's multiple sets of dentures. Plenty of interesting material for readers to sink their teeth into.—Booklist
“Schutt’s tone is dryly funny, and his conversational prose reads as if an erudite friend were explaining their life’s passion over drinks. Pop science aficionados will want to sink their teeth into this.”—Publishers Weekly
"Another tightly focused book to chew on"—AARP
