Egg Tooth
Definition
An egg tooth is a small, hard, calcified projection on the tip of a hatchling penguin's upper bill, used to break through the eggshell from the inside during hatching. The process of breaking out, called pipping, can take one to three days. The egg tooth is not a true tooth but a temporary keratinous structure that falls off or is reabsorbed within days of hatching. All penguin species have an egg tooth, as do most birds. Without it, the chick would be unable to escape the shell and would die.
Related Terms
Incubation is the period during which a parent penguin keeps the egg at a constant temperature (approximately 36-38 °C) to allow embryonic development.
A fledgling is a young penguin that has replaced its downy chick plumage with waterproof juvenile feathers and is ready to leave the colony for the sea.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does egg tooth mean in penguin biology?
An egg tooth is a small, hard, calcified projection on the tip of a hatchling penguin's upper bill, used to break through the eggshell from the inside during hatching. The process of breaking out, called pipping, can take one to three days. The egg tooth is not a true tooth but a temporary keratinous structure that falls off or is reabsorbed within days of hatching. All penguin species have an egg tooth, as do most birds. Without it, the chick would be unable to escape the shell and would die.