How Many Teeth Does a Shark Have?

verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites

The number of teeth a shark has is different for each species, but some can have more than 35,000 teeth in their lifetime. Unlike humans, who have a limited number of teeth, sharks have a continuous tooth replacement system. Some sharks have several rows of teeth, but they mostly use the front two rows. As teeth are lost or worn down, new teeth from the rows behind move forward to take their place. This process is ongoing, ensuring that sharks remain effective hunters throughout their lives.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica