Thegosis aka tooth sharpening

Dates

This event has now finished. Please visit Tours & events to see what’s on at the Museum.

Friday 14 July | 5pm - 6pm

Arrive 4.45pm for a 5pm start

Dates
-
Ages
All ages
Cost

Standard | $10
Concession | $8
Junior | $8

Membership

Friend Members receive 15% off ticket pricing for this event.

This event has now finished. Please visit Tours & events to see what’s on at the Museum.

Do you know how and why your teeth do what they do? Find out all there is to know about teeth sharpening.

Join Professor Mike Archer from the School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences at the University of New South Wales as he explains all there is to know about the process thegosis. 

Learn how and why most animals from sea urchins to guinea pigs, including humans, use and maintain their teeth through the process called thegosis. This enables their teeth to serve as lethal weapons as well as sharp food processors.

Find out more about the relationships between teeth, human aggression, beards, smiles, dog growls and many other complex but fascinating animal behaviours that are too often seriously misunderstood.

Understanding these might even help to reduce the likelihood of major world wide conflicts such as wars. 

Looking for more interesting Paleo talks in July then visit the Palaeo Down Under 3 website for more details. 


Meet the Museum

Glass specimen jar held

Are you curious to find out more about what goes on behind the scenes at the Museum?

This monthly program delves into the less visible part of the Museum’s work, as our scientists, researchers, historians and curators share their expertise and passions. 

Find out more.