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How many teeth does a mosquito have?

Question #24680. Asked by Shannon.
Last updated May 15 2021.

Gnomon
Answer has 12 votes
Gnomon
23 year member
1331 replies

Answer has 12 votes.
Insects do not have teeth. Mosquitos use a sort of sharp tube to pierce the skin of their hosts.

Nov 29 2002, 6:18 PM
Andy
Answer has 15 votes
Andy
24 year member
197 replies

Answer has 15 votes.
Mosquitoes have 47 teeth.

Nov 30 2002, 2:31 PM
Brainy Blonde
Answer has 17 votes
Brainy Blonde

Answer has 17 votes.
This appears to be a popular "fun fact" that doesn't have any basis in truth.

How many teeth does the average, run of the mill mosquito have. According to 'Issac Asimov' a mosquito has 47 teeth.
link http://www.angelfire.com/biz/thefbook/SampleText.html

Response last updated by Terry on Aug 21 2016.
Nov 30 2002, 4:20 PM
Kainantu
Answer has 7 votes
Kainantu

Answer has 7 votes.
The proboscis or mouth is a tube-like funnel that extends down and looks like a straw. In the center of the proboscis are two very slender tubes. One tube is for the saliva to flow down into the bite, the other tube is used for sucking blood into the mouth.

The mouth looks like a tube-like funnel, called the proboscis, which extends down. It is used to 'bite', and sip likelihoods, like plant juices. It is really like a straw

Response last updated by Terry on Aug 21 2016.
Dec 01 2002, 10:26 AM
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Terry star
Answer has 21 votes
Currently Best Answer
Terry star
Moderator
24 year member
333 replies avatar

Answer has 21 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
The answer is NO.

The likely origin of the "47 teeth" thing:

"A mosquito's proboscis has 47 sharp edges on its tip to help it cut through skin and even protective layers of clothing. Perhaps this is where the rumor of "mosquito teeth" comes from. Unlike human teeth, however, these sharp edges are not used to chew food since blood is already in a liquid form. These sharp edges are simply used to cut through skin. "

link http://didyouknowstuff.com/a-mosquito-has-47-teeth


Response last updated by CmdrK on May 15 2021.
Aug 21 2016, 11:48 AM
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