Bite force is the amount of pressure and force an animal uses when biting. Measured in psi (pounds per square inch). But whatever the unit of measurement these giant predators devour, you better hope you don’t fall victim to it. Just to give you some perspective, a tiny human’s bite force is negligible. 162 psi. Here are some of the animals with the strongest bites.
1. Nile Crocodile — 5000 PSI
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Nile crocodiles are the second largest reptiles found on Earth, averaging approximately 14 feet long. (Saltwater crocodiles are a bit larger.) Saltwater crocodiles are also known to be aggressive and ferocious, attacking humans where they can be found near the water in their native eastern Africa. In total, hundreds of attacks on humans are reported each year, many of which occur while people are washing their clothes or onboard fishing boats.
Apex predators chase not only fish, but also medium-sized mammals such as wildebeest, young elephants, and antelopes. The Nile crocodile has the most powerful bite of any living creature, and its power is astonishing. 5,000 psiwhich they use to crush their meals and take down large prey in one bite. Other crocodiles and crocodiles, such as the saltwater crocodile and the American alligator, also have very strong bite forces, although not as strong as their Nile relatives.
read more: 5 deadliest animals in the world
2. Hippo — 1800 PSI
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hippopotamus is “” in Greekriver horse” That’s where they feel most at home. Being on land for long periods of time can cause your skin to become dehydrated.
Hippos are really adorable. They have rounded features and look like unpretentious cartoon characters slowly dipping in an African river. However, they can also be ferocious and are, in fact, one of the most dangerous animals to humans in Africa, along with Nile crocodiles and black mamba snakes. And they have a huge bite force of 1,800 psi and huge canine teeth, so it’s best to stay out of their way.
read more: Large, aggressive hippos are causing problems in Colombia
3. Tyrannosaurus — 8,000 to 12,000 PSI
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As a point of comparison, it is important to note that many of the animals with the strongest bites are no longer in the field. “tyrannosaurus rex Bite forces are estimated to be between 8,000 and 12,000 psi.” scott parsons Assistant Professor of Paleontology at the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina.
This is almost twice as large as a Nile crocodile. And what helped was that tyrannosaurus They hunted small dinosaurs and thoroughly killed other predators. They were also known to chew through bones if necessary.
read more: What is the most dangerous carnivorous dinosaur?
4. Jaguar — 1500 PSI
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The Jaguars are third largest cat They make their mark in the world with their amazing patterns and captivating ways. They can weigh up to 350 pounds, but their size varies depending on their habitat and available food. Jaguars typically have a spotted coloration similar to leopards, but about 11% of jaguars are a rare species known as black leopards.
Both breeds have killer bite power. This sophisticated kitten has the strongest bite force of any cat in the world at 1,500 psi.
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5. Bull shark — 1350 PSI
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bull shark Found in most oceans around the world. In the United States, they are commonly found off the East Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico. It is also found in rivers such as the Amazon. Like the Nile crocodile, it is an aggressive species that is more likely to bite humans than any other type of shark.
This species also has a powerful bite force of 1350 psi, which it uses to bite into a variety of objects found in coastal waters, including other sharks and baby hippos. (I hope hippo mom doesn’t notice. Talk about a battle of biting powers.)
And while we’re talking about bite force, it’s worth noting that the bite force of the megalodon, an extinct shark that was about three times the size of the great white, was estimated to be an astonishing 30,000 psi. Parsons says: This is the most powerful bite of any creature that has ever walked the earth. Yay!
read more: These 10 animals are the most deadly to humans, but most aren’t scary beasts
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Sarah Novak is a science journalist based in South Carolina. In addition to writing for Discover, her work has appeared in Scientific American, Popular Science, New Scientist, Sierra Magazine, Astronomy Magazine, and more. She graduated from the Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She is also a master’s candidate in science writing at Johns Hopkins University (scheduled to graduate in 2023).
