Top 10 Most Resilient and Strongest Animal Species on the Planet

A healthy person can lift objects weighing 1.5 times their body weight. However, this pales in comparison to some of the strongest animals outside the natural world.

10. Harpy Eagle: Can lift 18 kg (almost double its body weight)

A female Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) carrying its prey – a Coati (Nasua nasua) that has been skinned – back to its nest.

The female Harpy Eagle is the strongest bird in the world. Females are typically stronger than males and can lift objects weighing up to 18 kg, nearly double their own weight. This ability is particularly useful when selecting prey, allowing them a wider variety of animals on their menu.

Harpy Eagles are apex predators, making them one of the top species in the food chain.

9. Leopard: Can lift 125 kg (about double its body weight)

A leopard (Panthera pardus) resting on a tree in the Sabi Sands Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa.

An average male leopard weighs between 30 to 70 kg, with the largest individuals capable of lifting weights of 125 kg using their strong jaws, legs, and claws.

Leopards need this strength to drag larger prey up trees after hunting, ensuring safety from other predators, as they are not as strong as animals like tigers and lions.

8. Polar Bear: Can lift 450 kg (about 0.7 times its body weight)

A close-up of a Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) biting a camera lens near the Arctic Circle, Hudson Bay, Canada.

Adult male polar bears can weigh between 300 to 700 kg, while females typically weigh less, ranging from 150 to 350 kg. They have incredibly strong jaws for hunting, although they are not particularly good at catching seals, their primary prey.

Polar bears are not afraid of humans, making them quite dangerous. However, as we will see, they are not the strongest bears on our list.

7. Lion: Can lift 450 kg (about double its body weight)

An immature lion (Panthera leo) taking down a wildebeest (Connochaetes) and dragging it along the Sand River in the Serengeti.

For many cultures, lions symbolize strength and hunting prowess.

Adult male lions can weigh between 150 to 250 kg, while females are slightly smaller, weighing between 120 to 180 kg. Their strong jaws and legs allow them to drag larger animals than themselves over short distances.

6. Grizzly Bear: Can lift 500 kg (about 0.8 times its body weight)

A North American Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) hunting pink salmon in Katmai National Park, Alaska, USA.

Thanks to the combination of leg and body strength, North American grizzly bears are impressive predators. However, the strongest bears on our list are not only muscular; they are also intelligent, capable of mapping territories of up to 800 km and forming social hierarchies.

An adult grizzly can lift up to 227 kg with one paw and has the strength of five strong adult men. With all this, it’s no surprise that grizzly bears have no natural enemies.

5. Tiger: Can lift 550 kg (about double its body weight)

A Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) taking down a Sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) in Ranthambhore, India.

Tigers are the most powerful big cats on our list. Agile and stronger than lions, they can take down prey twice their size. They are also extremely muscular and can run at speeds of up to 65 km/h in short bursts.

Their impressive strength doesn’t stop there; a single swipe from a tiger can kill an adult human instantly.

4. Musk Ox: Can lift 900 kg (about 1.5 times its body weight)

A musk ox (Ovibos moschatus) with its thick shaggy coat for warmth, photographed in the Ammalortup Nunaa Plateau, Kangerlussuaq, Qeqqata Municipality, Greenland.

The musk ox, a unique mammal in the genus Ovibos, has lived in the Arctic since the Pleistocene about 200,000 years ago, known for its thick fur and strong odor emitted from males. This scent is used to attract mates during the breeding season. The muscular strength of this animal allows it to pull massive weights over long distances.

An adult musk ox can weigh between 180 to 410 kg and prefers to charge at threats when confronted by predators. Their strong neck and head muscles can deliver powerful blows, and their horns can cause serious injuries.

3. White Rhinoceros: Can lift 800 kg to 1,100 kg

A male and female white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) confronting each other after the male threatens a calf.

As herbivores, many might think that rhinoceroses are gentle creatures. However, this would be a very dangerous misconception.

Adult male white rhinos can weigh between 1,800 to 2,500 kg, while females weigh between 1,800 to 2,000 kg, heavier than an average family car. Measuring the strength of a white rhinoceros is challenging, but it is estimated that one can lift weights ranging from 800 to 1,100 kg.

2. Gorilla: Can lift 815 kg (about four times its body weight)

A mature lowland western male gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) in the dense jungle of the Central African Republic.

Gorillas have incredibly strong arms. They use their legs and arms to walk, climb, and swing through trees daily, keeping those massive muscles toned.

Males are larger than females and can weigh up to 200 kg when fully grown. However, they do not need all this strength for hunting—they survive on a plant-based diet. Nevertheless, it’s probably best not to challenge this animal to an arm-wrestling match.

1. African Forest Elephant: Can lift 6,000 kg

An African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana africana) in a remote area near Purros, bordering the Skeleton Coast National Park, Namibia.

The strongest animal in the world is the African forest elephant, capable of lifting up to 6,000 kg—the weight of its own body when lying down. In fact, its body can lift more than 200 kg thanks to over 40,000 muscles, while an adult human has just over 600 muscles throughout their body.

The average weight of an adult male is just over 6,000 kg, making it the largest land animal in the world.

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