The saltwater crocodile is considered the animal with the strongest bite force among all living creatures on Earth.
According to a study published in the journal Frontiers, bite force is the power generated by the muscles and bones of the upper and lower jaws when an animal bites. Animals with tremendous bite force typically have no trouble grasping struggling prey. Some carnivores can even chew through prey with exceptionally tough armor.
The saltwater crocodile has the strongest bite force on the planet. (Photo: Diana Lynne)
Among all living creatures today, the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) boasts the strongest bite force, measured at 16,460 newtons (N), according to a 2012 study published in PLOS One. Anything that falls into the jaws of a saltwater crocodile experiences a tremendous bite force during the struggle for life.
Two other species could compete with or even surpass the crocodile, but their bite forces have not been empirically measured as they are aquatic predators. If confirmed, the strongest bite force belongs to the orca (Orcinus orca), estimated at 84,516 N according to the Dutch Shark Society, followed by the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), with a bite force of around 18,000 N, based on computer modeling used in a study published in 2008 in the journal Zoology.
Among extinct animals, the bite force of the Tyrannosaurus rex (Tyrannosaurus rex) ranks first (35,000 N), as they roamed the Earth 66 to 68 million years ago. The massive Megalodon shark (Otodus megalodon) dominated the oceans 3.6 to 15 million years ago with a bite force of up to 182,200 N. However, many questions remain regarding whether sharks could defeat dinosaurs. Comparing the two is challenging due to the different jaw structures and tooth counts, according to Jack Tseng, a biologist and associate professor of integrative biology at the University of California, Berkeley.
Bite force can be measured directly or indirectly estimated. Living animals can crush measuring devices, which is how scientists measure the bite force of saltwater crocodiles. For animals that cannot be tested this way, such as orcas and sharks, bite force is calculated based on their body structure, shape, and the type of prey they hunt. Extinct animals are even more difficult to calculate because only jaw bones are available in the fossil record. This is why researchers use simulations to reconstruct long-decomposed jaw mechanics.
Many features contribute to bite force, including the strength of the skull and jaw bones. Teeth also serve as a weapon. The head of the Tyrannosaurus rex not only had the power to crush bones but also had teeth as sharp as knives. However, a dominating factor for bite force is body size. According to Daniel Huber, a professor of environmental science at the University of Tampa, Florida, body size is the most crucial factor determining bite force.
However, not all animals with strong bite forces are massive and equipped with sharp teeth. Some species are even non-carnivorous. The large Galapagos land finch (Geospiza magnirostris) exhibits the strongest bite force relative to its size, according to a 2019 study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. This bird weighs only 33 grams but can crack seeds with a bite force of 70 N, which is 320 times the bite force of T. rex when size is taken into account. In comparison, the maximum bite force of a human is only around 1,000 N.
