Step 1 : Introduction to the question "Which mammal often starves to death after losing all its teeth?"
...African elephants rely on a unique tooth-replacement system in which sets of massive molars grow in from the back of the jaw and move forward as older ones wear down. Over a lifetime, an elephant typically cycles through six sets. Once the final set is worn away—usually in old age—the animal can no longer grind tough vegetation effectively. Because they cannot regrow any additional teeth, many elephants become unable to eat enough food to survive, leading to starvation. This natural limitation is one of the major factors determining an elephant’s lifespan in the wild.
