What Animal has the Strongest Bite Force? [Top 10 List With PSI]

What Animal has the Strongest Bite Force?

Animals with the strongest bite force are fascinating creatures, and their incredible jaw strength is a testament to their evolution and adaptation. The ability to bite down with immense pressure can help these animals catch and kill prey, defend themselves against predators, and even crush tough plant materials. Some of the animals with the strongest bite force include crocodiles, sharks, hippos, and gorillas. These animals all have unique adaptations that allow them to produce incredible amounts of force with their jaws, from specialized teeth and jaw muscles to tough, reinforced skulls.

The animal with the strongest bite force is the saltwater crocodile, which has a bite force of around 3,700 pounds per square inch (psi). This means that their bite is strong enough to crush the skull of their prey, which includes animals as large as water buffalo and sharks. Other animals with strong bite forces include the Nile crocodile, the American alligator, and certain species of sharks, such as the great white shark.

The 10 Animals with the Strongest Bite Forces in the World

1. Nile crocodile

Nile crocodiles, found in sub-Saharan Africa, have a bite force of 5,000 PSI, which is used to crush their prey before swallowing it, often whole. Despite being smaller than saltwater crocodiles, Nile crocodiles are highly aggressive and territorial and use their powerful bite to take down any prey that dares to venture near the water. Although their diet mainly consists of fish, they are known to attack larger animals as well.

2. Saltwater crocodile

The saltwater crocodile, also known as the ‘saltie’ and the largest living reptile, can grow up to 7m in length and weigh around 1,000kg for males and slightly smaller for females. They hide along the water’s edge, waiting to ambush their prey in a violent lunge. These ‘living fossils’ have remained largely unchanged for 100 million years. Bite force: 3,700 PSI, Distribution: India, Southeast Asia, Australia, Saltwater crocodile bite force is utilized for gripping onto prey while they perform a death roll.

3. American alligator

The American alligator boasts a bite force of 2,125 PSI, making it one of the strongest among animals. Found mainly in the southern region of the United States, these opportunistic predators can use their powerful jaws to take down a variety of prey, ranging from snakes and fish to mammals and insects. In fact, a study by researchers from Florida State University discovered that the alligator's bite could even lift a small truck.

4. Hippopotamus

Hippos have the largest mouth and teeth of any land mammal, with their canine teeth measuring around 71cm long and continually growing. In fact, the largest ever recorded hippo canine tooth was a whopping 122cm long! Despite being herbivorous, hippos have a fearsome bite force that they use for defence against apex predators or for fighting with other hippos. Bite force: 1,800 PSI, Distribution: Sub-Saharan Africa.

5. Jaguar

Jaguars, being opportunistic hunters, have a diverse palate and will hunt almost any animal. With their powerful jaws, they can take down prey that's up to four times their own weight with a single bite to the back of the skull. Bite force: 1,500 PSI. Distribution: Southwestern USA, Central America, South America. The jaguar bite force is utilized to cut through the armored skin of crocodiles, the shells of turtles and tortoises, as well as crushing bones.

6. Bull shark

The bull shark, which can be found in warm coastal areas, rivers, and lakes worldwide, has more teeth than other shark species, with up to 350 teeth present at any given time. The shark's mouth operates like a conveyor belt, with teeth from the row behind moving forward to replace an old tooth that falls out near the edge of the jaw. Over their lifetime, bull sharks can grow up to 50,000 teeth, explaining why shark teeth are so frequently found in the fossil record. With a bite force of 1,350 PSI, bull sharks have a widely varied diet, from oysters and turtles to baby hippos and even other sharks.

7.Gorilla

Although gorillas have a powerful bite force, they are mostly herbivores. They use their strong jaws to strip bark off trees, starting with the outer layer, and then separating the sweet inner bark from the discarded outer bark for trees such as the Milicia. With a bite force of 1,300 PSI, gorillas use their powerful teeth to chew on hard branches and tear bark off trees. Gorillas are typically found in the forests of central Africa.

8. Polar bear

Polar bears, which are part of the Ursidae family, have the strongest bite force among all bear species. They are unique among bears as they are classified as marine mammals. Their large canine teeth, which can grow up to 5cm, are specifically adapted for hunting their Arctic prey, mainly ringed and bearded seals. However, polar bears are opportunistic feeders and will also scavenge carcasses, as well as feed on other mammals, vegetation, birds, and eggs. With a bite force of 1,200 PSI, polar bears use their powerful jaws to chomp through the thick blubber of Arctic animals. They are mainly found in the Arctic Circle.

9. Grizzly bear

Hikers are often advised to steer clear of grizzly bears for a good reason. Besides their enormous size and razor-sharp claws, their bite is capable of crushing a human skull or a bowling ball effortlessly. Grizzly bears, which are found in Canada and the USA, have a bite force of 1,160 PSI, which they use for ripping into animal flesh and breaking the bones of their large prey.

10. Hyena

With conical-shaped premolars and specialized teeth for crushing and breaking bones, hyenas are carnivorous mammals that leave no part of the carcass unused. Their strong jaws and broad molars, coupled with a highly concentrated hydrochloric acid in their stomach, enable them to digest bones as well. Hyenas are predominantly found in Sub-Saharan Africa and have a bite force of 1,100 PSI, which they use to grind down bones and extract the nutritious marrow.

Which Animal has the Strongest Bite in the World?

The strongest known bite force in the entire animal kingdom belongs to the crocodile, specifically the Saltwater Crocodile and Nile Crocodile. The Saltwater Crocodile has the highest recorded "live" bite force of 3,700 PSI, while the Nile Crocodile is estimated to have a bite force of 4,000-5,000 PSI. These powerful predators use their bite force to grip and crush their prey, often swallowing them whole after a death roll. It's important to remember to stay a safe distance from these apex predators in their natural habitat.

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