Joyce, the person we need to ask about this is Umberto Albarella, who is
the world's expert on aging pig teeth. Umberto, can you advise? I'll learn
something from the answer he gives too, because the only teeth I feel I'm
really good at aging are horses and cows. Silver (1969) gives 22 mos. as
the latest age of eruption for M3, so we know your sow is at least that
old; but I don't know of a reference that gives time ranges for the
senescence or exfoliation of teeth, other than in the horse. Cheers -- Dr.
Deb
> Thank you, Deb, for your clear and comprehensive answer. I still have one
> question, though. I was wondering what age the 'old sow' could have been
> approximately? Because I find pigs usually don't get much older than three
> years and I have never seen such a worn down specimen. Am I right in
> thinking this one must be much older?
>
> Regards,
> Joyce
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