From large cats and territorial herbivores to the sharp jaws of aquatic predators, today
we look at Animals with the Most Powerful Bites.
Number 13. Lion Iconically renowned as the "King of the Jungle",
it may come as a surprise that lions aren't the most powerful biters in the world. Even
among large cats, the lion doesn't have the strongest jaws. But that doesn't make the
great maned cat's crunch any less lethal. Reaching up to 7 feet in length, and weighing
as much as 440 pounds, lions are large hunters that will use their razor sharp talons and
immense size to down prey while on the prowl in the savannah. Striking the final blow requires
a bit more force, though, thus the necessity for its powerful bite. The bite force of an
animal is measured in pounds per square inch, or psi for short. Exerting between 650 and
700 psi, lions are able to finish off prey much larger than themselves, leading to a
meal for the whole pride.
Number 12. Kangal No other dog exerts more bite force than the
Turkish Kangal. This breed of dog serves as a shepherd, protecting their flock from predatory
threats like wolves. The Kangal is also a very loyal breed, treating their humans similar
to a flock of sheep, guarding their well being at all costs. Their bite measures in at 743
psi, an incredibly powerful clasp given their relative size difference to other animals
on this list. While big among dogs, the Kangal breed reaches a height of just 32 inches and
can weigh just under 140 pounds at most. A highly intelligent breed, these dogs are equally
independent, which can make them especially difficult to train. But once loyal, the Kangal
will be one of the most stoic, yet dominant, companions a pet owner could ask for.
Number 11. Bengal Tiger Surpassed only by its Siberian kin and the
hybrid Liger, this large cat is among the biggest felines found on Earth. The Bengal
Tiger can grow upward of 10 feet in length and may weigh as much as 700 pounds! It is
the national animal of India and Bangladesh and is considered to hold great symbolic significance
throughout the region. Despite this, however, these tigers face endangerment as their numbers
dwindle, mainly due to poaching and human interference with their native habitat. The
bones and body parts of these admirable cats are used in the production of traditional
medicines throughout Asia, and as such have become widely valued on the black market.
And as populations grow in Southeast Asia, communities have begun to infringe on the
home territory of these tigers, and in the 19th century, locals were actually encouraged
to exterminate the noble beasts. Nonetheless, the great bengal tiger possesses a bite force
of 1050 psi which it uses to slay anything from deer to wolves to crocodiles, and even
elephants!
Number 10. Grizzly Bear Also recognized as the North American brown
bear, the Grizzly makes its home across the forests and mountain ranges of Canada and
the United States. Sporting two-to-four-inch long claws, up to nearly 800 pounds in weight,
and a length of over 6 feet, the imposing furred forest-roamer is already a threat to
any creature who dares to challenge it. But factoring in its mighty bite raises the danger
it presents to a whole new plateau. While most might think the grizzly bear gets its
nutrition from berries, honey and fish, these stoic hunters have been known to feast on
larger prey when they can. In order to dine on animals such as bighorn sheep, bison, or
caribou, this species of bear brandishes an incredible bite force of 1160 psi.
Number 9. Polar Bear Due to global climate change, this ivory predator
is labeled as vulnerable when it comes to conservation status. However, in the animal
kingdom, the Polar Bear has plenty of tools to keep it from being vulnerable to another
predator, including a sizeable bite. Weighing almost a ton at most, this species of bear
is the most carnivorous of its kind, relying on meaty prey for sustenance. And in the Arctic
Circle where they make their home, prey grows thick and blubbery. Dieting mostly on seals
such as the ringed and bearded variety, polar bears require their strong, 1200 psi bite
in order to tear into large game and survive their frigid ecosystem.
Number 8. Gorilla Intelligent, dexterous, and bulging with muscles,
Gorillas might not seem like your typical biter. Nevertheless, the great primates that
inhabit the tropical forests and mountains of Africa can chomp with the best of them.
These intelligent animals typically maintain a mostly herbivorous diet, splitting up their
nutrients between foliage, fruits, and insects, and getting the majority of their hydration
from succulent vegetation. However, the jungles of Africa are swarming with predators, and
a silverback leader must be ready to protect his fellow gorillas. Thus, in addition to
a strong musculature and the ability to use tools, gorillas are also capable of exerting
a bite force of up to 1300 psi.
Number 7. Bull Shark Bull Sharks are some of the most treacherous
aquatic creatures known to man. One of the few sharks that able to survive in both freshwater
and saltwater environments, this sharp-toothed predator goes prowling in rivers, estuaries,
and coastal regions to find its meals. In addition to a wide range of hunting grounds,
the bull shark also brings an additional element of danger with its powerful bite. Between
7 and 8 feet on average, and weighing up to 290 pounds, bull sharks are highly irritable
and won't hesitate to unleash the wrath of 1330 pounds of force per square inch into
any unlucky creature it encounters. These ferocious swimmers can be found nearly everywhere,
from the waters of Massachusetts to the Brisbane River in Australia, and most anywhere in between.
Number 6. Jaguar Blanketed in dark, rosette shaped markings,
the iconic Jaguar can be found through Central and South America as the largest cat native
to the Western Hemisphere. It makes its home in habitats ranging from forests to swamps,
but prefers the cover of tropical and subtropical rainforests. Though not quite as large as
lions or tigers, the jaguar packs a mightier bite than its bigger relatives. Measuring
up to around 6 ft. and 200 pounds in average size, the jaguar typically pursues large prey
for its build. Feasting on animals like capybaras, giant anteaters, and caimans can require a
stronger strike. Luckily, the jaguar has a bite force surpassing 15 hundred psi, which
it uses to tactically sever the vertebrae of unwary quarry.
Number 5. Hippopotamus With the appearance of a great, smooth-skinned
bovine, the Hippopotamus might seem like a timid herbivore to the unacquainted. In reality
though, this species is one of Africa's most dangerous creatures, as their highly territorial
nature makes them quick to punish would-be trespassers. They maintain a diet of short
grass primarily, eating up to 150 pounds per night to fuel their three thousand-plus-pound
frame. Despite this food source, though, hippos grow gigantic canines and incisors used for
fighting and self defense. With these hulking teeth, which measure over a foot long each,
the hippopotamus can tear into aggressors with a bite force of 18 hundred psi, keeping
their herd, which can consist of 40 individuals, safe and sound.
Number 4. American Alligator Roaming the swamps of the Southeastern United
States is America's own monstrous reptile, the broad-snouted American Alligator. While
not quite as big as its crocodilian cousins, this species is still a massive predator in
its own right. This leather-headed brute can reach nearly a thousand pounds in weight and
almost 10 feet in length. Fitted with a measure bite force of up to 2,125 psi, the marsh-wading
American Alligator uses its extremely strong jaws to catch anything from fish, birds and
turtles to muskrats, wild boars, and even burmese pythons! But even with such a strong
bite, this gator has a rough time chewing its food. Instead, the American Alligator
swallows chunks of its prey whole, and allows its gizzard to grind down the meal instead.
Number 3. Saltwater Crocodile Though it may rank 3rd on this list, the Saltwater
Crocodile proudly holds the title of strongest bite force ever recorded in a controlled environment,
measuring just around 3700 psi. Creatures holding a higher spot in this video only do
so based off of scientific calculations and predictions. This species of crocodile is
found throughout Southeast Asia and Australia, using their saltwater swimming ability to
travel across oceanic waters in search of food. These crocodiles have been found far
from their typical hunting grounds, migrating as far as the Sea of Japan or even the isle
of Fiji, over a thousand miles east of Australia! A large reptile, the Saltwater Crocodile grows
up to 16 feet and over 2 thousand pounds on average, but larger specimens have been documented.
A fairly lethargic creature, these beasts expend their energy in short bursts. To that
end, they are equipped with muscles that allow them to clamp down on prey with incredible
strength and swiftness. Strangely though, they lack the same strength when it comes
to opening their mouths, making the species easy enough to secure with just an adhesive
such as duct tape.
Number 2. Great White Shark There are few creatures more notorious for
their vicious bite than the infamous Great White Shark. Thanks to the hit 1975 Steven
Spielberg thriller "Jaws", this species of shark has become synonymous with lethal bite
force. But for years, the exact strength of the Great White's fateful maw went unknown
to scientists. Due to being easily irritable and highly dangerous, marine biologists and
shark researchers were unable to accurately measure this shark's bite in a safe, controlled
environment. But thanks to modern technology, scientists have been able to develop a digital
rendering of the great hunter, calculating the collaborative effort of all the shark's
powerful jaw muscles. The result is a bite force measuring between 3600 and 4000 psi.
Given the sheer size of the Great White, which can reach anywhere between 1700 and 5000 pounds
in weight, this bite is weaker than what scientists expected, leading them to the consensus that
the real danger of a shark's bite is in its razor sharp rows of teeth.
Number 1. Nile Crocodile Holding the title of most powerful bite ever
recorded is none other than Africa's native Nile Crocodile. Growing an average length
of between 10 and 12 feet long and a weight of roughly 300 pounds, this species of crocodile
is mean, and massive. As apex predators, nile crocodiles will feast on anything from bugs
and bats to eagles and baboons, and anything in between. Thus it's important to these creatures
to have a bite that can tear through most anything, and with 5 thousand pounds of pressure
per square inch packed into every chomp, nothing can escape the nile crocodile's lethal jaws.