Dental conditions of wild red foxes (Vulpes vulpes L.) in northeastern Lapland

The dental conditions of 75 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes L.) killed during the period 15. IX. 1967 — 7. IV. 1969 in N. E. Finnish Lapland are described. The teeth and their occlusion were extremely well developed. The dental enamel had an extra fine surface appearance throughout the sample. No hypoplastic teeth, nor diminutives, nor other abnormal tooth forms were found. Some cases of supernumerary or congenitally missing teeth, a few local cases of parodontal damage and one pathological hard palate perforation are described. Dental caries was absent. The most frequent findings were fractured teeth, retained roots and missing teeth.