A Study of Dental Pathology in River Otters (Lontra canadensis) in Arkansas

River otters (Lontra canadensis) consume a variety of foods, including mussels, fishes, and crayfishes. These foods have hard body parts that cause wear the teeth as predator ages incurs more damaging feeding experiences. This can lead to exposure pulp cavity possible abscess resorption bone around alveolus. Further, strong bites against harder prey sometimes results in mechanical breakage, which pulpitis severe pathology leading tooth loss. We investigated frequency different forms dental issues sample 178 skulls river collected from Arkansas. Canines carnassial teeth, most used capture mastication prey, were severely affected. Based on post-traumatic wear, it is evident are able survive disease.