The most powerful bite in the world. The strength and power of a shark Who has the strongest jaws

Which animal do you think has the strongest bite? A lion? Hyena? Turtle? Or maybe something smaller, like a piranha? The answer may surprise you. There is a famous saying that says, “The big fish eat the little fish,” and if you look at how nature works, there is a lot of truth in this statement. It is especially true in the animal kingdom, where most animals survive using a wide range of tactics and evolutionary characteristics. As you may have guessed, bite force is one of many characteristics that help animals not only in their search for food, but also in self-defense. It is for this quality that today we will compile a list of the most “successful” representatives of the animal kingdom. Bite strength means a lot - from the beautiful Siberian tiger to the fearsome polar bear, we present to you the 25 most powerful bites in the animal kingdom.

25. Orca, PSI: 19000 ~ unknown

Until now, it has been impossible to accurately measure the force of a killer whale's bite. However, based on incidents involving orcas in captivity, it is estimated that their bite force may exceed 19,000 PSI. Since this is just a guess, the orca is only ranked 25th at this time.

24. Piranha, PSI: unknown


If we speak in the context of boxing, then the piranha would emerge as the absolute champion in its weight. The force of her bite exceeds her body weight by 30 times, this is simply unheard of in the animal world. However, its exact strength has never been measured.

23. Leopard, PSI: 300–310


The leopard is one of the five "big cats" of the panther genus and is found in many parts of the world, such as parts of sub-Saharan Africa, Western Asia, the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia and even Siberia. Known for its athleticism and speed, the bite of a leopard is definitely something to avoid.

22. Tiger shark, PSI: 325


This sea animal is arguably one of the deadliest predators in the ocean and definitely looks very scary. However, its bite force is only 325.

21. Wild Dog, PSI: 340


The wild dog is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa and is considered the largest member of its genus in Africa. Don't let her appearance deceive you; in terms of bite strength, she can compete with cougars.

20. Puma, PSI: 350


The puma is considered the largest wild land mammal in the Western Hemisphere and one of the fastest animals. They do not have the strongest bite, however, they have muscular jaws and long fangs that are adapted to bite into meat, tendons and muscles.

19. Wolf, PSI: 406


The wolf is one of the most famous and well-studied animals. They also have one of the most paradoxical relationships with people. The wolf is a remarkable hunter; they usually hunt in packs in order to kill animals that are much larger than themselves. The wolf boasts an impressive bite force of 406 PSI.

18. Mastiff, PSI: 556


The Mastiff has the strongest bite of any domesticated dog. Even a Rottweiler, Pitbull or German Shepherd cannot compare with him.

17. White shark, PSI: 669


Although sharks should generally have the strongest bite of any fish, this shark's bite is surprisingly weak. However, this may be due to the fact that sharks do not need a strong bite, since they do most of the damage with their teeth.

16. Lion, PSI: 691


It was sad to see the “king of beasts” in such a low place, but it was obvious that his bite was not his main advantage. However, lions have quite a strong bite, which earned them a place on this list of the 25 Strongest Bites.

15. Jaguar, PSI: 700


The jaguar is scary not because of its powerful bite, but because of the way its teeth are designed: they can penetrate the skull and are capable of breaking through the shell of a turtle. For comparison, jaguars have the strongest bite relative to body weight among the entire cat family.

14. Brown bear, PSI: 850


The humble brown bear lives in the forests and mountains of northern North America, Europe and Asia. It is the most widespread bear in the world and has an impressive bite force of up to 850 psi.

13. Kodiak, PSI: 930


The Kodiak lives on the islands of the Kodiak Archipelago in southwestern Alaska, from which it borrowed its name. This is the largest subspecies of brown bear and one of the two largest representatives of the bear genus. The second is the polar bear.

12. Amur tiger, PSI: 950


Amur tigers not only have incredibly powerful jaws, but also very sharp teeth, which they use to dig into the throats of their victims.

11. Snapping turtle, PSI: 1000


According to a bite force test done by Dr. Brady Barr of National Geographic, the snapping turtle has a bite force of approximately 1,000 PSI.

10. Bengal tiger, PSI: 1050


Bengal tigers are the largest members of the cat family and are famous for their strength and power. Despite their fearsome reputation, most tigers avoid people, but the few that don't are responsible for the deaths of many people in India, where they live.

9. Hyena, PSI: 1100


This not-so-cute and scary animal, which we learned about as children while watching The Lion King, has teeth that are specially adapted for eating rough food, as well as crushing and digesting large bones. Their milk is rich in calcium due to the huge amount of bones included in their diet.

8. Polar bear, PSI: 1235


Polar bears are among the strongest and toughest mammals on the planet, and as such, they also have a very powerful bite. Their diet consists mainly of seals, which are by no means soft-skinned, but their teeth are also adapted for a vegetable diet.

7. Grizzly Bear, PSI: 1250


The grizzly bear is a majestic and dominant symbol of wild and primal power. They are omnivores and have very strong teeth. Their incisors are relatively large, as are their canines. Unlike most other animals, their teeth are also adapted for a vegetable diet.

6. Snout shark, PSI: 1250


Bullnose sharks have the strongest bite of any fish, but their strength is only half their power, because they also have very sharp teeth.

5. Gorilla, PSI: 1300


The teeth of typical male gorillas are white and large, but not very sharp. However, they have very strong neck and jaw muscles, which make their bite very strong.

4. Hippopotamus, PSI: 1821


Hippos may not look like they have a strong bite, but the truth is that these huge animals have very strong jaw muscles. Even though they are herbivores, their bite is considered the strongest of all mammals.

3. Mississippi alligator, PSI: 2125


The Mississippi alligator is a rare breeding success story for an endangered animal. This species was saved from extinction. The Mississippi alligator is one of the most vicious and deadly predators in the world, and its bite ranks third on our list.

2. Nile crocodile, PSI: 5000


The Nile crocodile has a well-deserved reputation as one of the most vicious man-eaters in all of Africa. It is difficult to give an exact number, but it is estimated that about 200 people die every year in the jaws of the Nile crocodile. It ranks second on our list.

1. Saltwater crocodile, PSI: 7700


To put it bluntly, the combed crocodile is the largest reptile that lives on our planet at the moment. It is also the largest terrestrial and coastal predator in the world. The length of males of this species can reach 6.7 meters and weight 2000 kilograms. They also have the strongest bite of any animal in the world.

Those who get a pet for protection have probably thought about what the strongest dog in the world is. And not without reason, because strong dogs will always be not only good friends, but also reliable bodyguards. The top 10 strongest dogs, photos, videos and much other useful information can be found here.

[Hide]

Bull Terrier

The Bull Terrier is considered one of the strongest dogs and in our top 10 ranking it takes first place. This strong-jawed breed was originally used for dog fighting. The Bull Terrier has the strongest bite and grip of any dog. In principle, this dog is very friendly with its owner, but if you push him to the point of aggression, he will literally become uncontrollable. However, the Bull Terrier is easy to train, so its character can be developed.

This breed has been recognized as the strongest dog in the world. Bull Terriers have a strong, muscular body that is built quite proportionately. In general, dogs are kind, but if the owner is in trouble, then such a dog will easily gnaw the throat of the offender.

Staffordshire Terrier

The dog was bred in the USA and, like the bull terrier, was used for a long time in underground dog fights. The Stafford is a mix of terrier and bulldog, it has a beautiful muscular and strong body with well-developed limbs. In addition to having a strong grip and a strong bite among other breeds, the Stafford Terrier has an excellent ability to detect scents.

This breed is very loyal to its owner. Moreover, they feel virtually no pain. If a dog is properly trained, then there will never be problems with it, but if there is no upbringing, the pet can bring a lot of trouble to the owners, just like any breed without upbringing is a problem for the owner and others.

Boxer

The breed was developed in Germany and is the result of crossing a Bulldog and a Bullenbeiser. The Boxer is considered one of the strongest dogs ever to participate in dog fighting, which is why he found a place in our ranking of the top 10 strongest breeds. The incredibly strong grip is due to the dog’s powerful jaw.

Whatever the boxer is, as can be seen from the video, he is a fairly balanced representative of the strongest varieties. In addition, Boxers are very playful and love kids, however, if the dog is handled incorrectly, the possibility that he will show his strength cannot be ruled out. The Boxer must be well brought up to understand that the main thing in the house is the person, and the dog is a reliable assistant and friend.

Boerboel

A South African breed bred to guard plantations and escort slaves. The breed is quite large and strong. Among all representatives of the rating, the top 10 have the strongest jaws and the strongest bite. In principle, this breed is characterized by aggression, so it needs to be controlled from childhood. If the pet is not raised, then outbursts of anger can be transferred to the person. In some European countries, for example, Denmark, the breeding of this breed is completely prohibited.

Dogo Argentino

Breeders had to work hard to develop this breed. The Dogo Argentino is the result of crosses between ten different varieties. Dogo Argentinos have an excellent muscular body and a strong bite, as well as a formidable appearance that instills fear not only in the enemy, but also in humans. Therefore, it is not for nothing that this breed is in the top 10 strongest ranking.

However, despite their formidable appearance, Dogo Argentinos are quite intelligent dogs, as well as calm, endowed with an easy-going character. They do not belong to fighting breeds, because their main purpose is protection and hunting.,

Rottweiler

A well-formed breed of cattle breeding and guarding in the area near the city of Rottweil. Butcher dog. By nature, the dog is quite large and strong, as can be seen in the photos and videos, and is also characterized by intelligence and intelligence. Pets of this breed are included in the top 10 rating, despite the fact that they are quite friendly, however, this breed can experience outbreaks of unmotivated aggression towards children.

The Rottweiler is an excellent guard and protector, as these dogs are fearless by nature. They are also very curious, but require good training.

German dog

Like the Rottweiler, the Great Dane was bred by German breeders and is a service breed. No matter how big the dog is, it has an amazingly kind character, which allows it to easily communicate with its owner and other family members. But it didn’t make it into the top 10 for nothing - the dog is one of the strongest with a powerful bite, although at the same time he is quite lazy. Aggression is not typical for this breed. If trained correctly, which is quite possible with a Great Dane, the dog will delight you with its obedience.

Siberian Husky

Now many people are inclined to say that huskies are not dangerous dogs. This is true, but only if we are not talking about the Siberian variety. It’s not for nothing that these dogs are included in the top 10 strongest breeds. Siberian Huskies are very similar in appearance to wolves. This breed is characterized by eyes of different colors. It should also be noted that despite the fact that these dogs are very smart, they absolutely do not want to learn - the mental characteristics of this breed require a special approach and great physical exercise. It is almost impossible to train a pet; this can only be done realistically during the game.

Doberman

The Doberman is not only a strong breed, but also a very fast breed. These dogs from the top 10 were bred by German specialists for use in the service. As you can see from the photos and videos, this pet is quite elegant and strong in appearance, and also very fast. It should also be noted that Dobermans are endowed with incredible reactions. They are one of the most fearless dogs.

Despite their aggression, pets are very easy to train. Give your Doberman enough time and you will be able to fully appreciate all the advantages of this variety.

Dogo Canario

The Dogo Canario closes the top 10 of our rating. This variety was developed in Spain and has a powerful bite. Despite the daunting appearance This species is not aggressive at all. Great Danes are quite smart and endowed with intelligence. They are loyal to humans and are easy to train. But if necessary, they will become good defenders.

Pros and cons of keeping pets

As in any other category, strong dogs have certain advantages and disadvantages of their keeping.

Let's start with the benefits of content:

1. As a rule, the dogs of the above varieties are very obedient and kind. They are endowed with a wonderful character, but, of course, this is only true if they are raised correctly.
2. Dogs of the strongest breeds are excellent protectors, especially for children. Usually such animals treat babies with kindness, but there are also some individuals who are characterized by aggression towards everyone around them.
3. As a rule, pets of these varieties easily absorb stress and any training. Please take into account that large serious breeds are required to undergo an OKD or UGS training course.

As for the disadvantages:

1. A large number of financial costs for maintenance. Basically, the money will go to food and pet care. Therefore, if you decide to get such an animal, be prepared for the costs.
2. Large dogs die earlier than smaller dogs. This is a fact that you cannot argue with.
3. Such pets can be very aggressive, so the first thing you need to pay attention to is education.

Features of choosing a really strong dog

In principle, there are no special nuances in choosing the strongest pet. You just need to decide on the variety that interests you, and everything else is trifles. In addition to the variety, you can also consider:

1. The height of the dog. It is desirable that in an adult it be at least 60 cm, preferably more. It will always be better if the dog is not just strong, but also massive. Although 60 cm is not an indicator that the dog will be massive.
2. Dog's weight. Ideally, a strong pet weighs 50 kilograms or more. The more weight, the more powerful the pet will be.
3. Character. After reading the descriptions of the varieties, you must decide for yourself the character you need. If you want a well-trained dog and do not want to spend a lot of effort, then a Rottweiler or Doberman is perfect for you. If you prefer a husky, then keep in mind that raising her will not be so easy.

Video “All about Dobermans”

Basic information about Dobermans is presented in the video.

They are able to chew through steel, bite through a huge crocodile or bite through the thick skin of a hippopotamus... Let's look into the mouths of those who are capable of this thanks to their powerful jaws.

Photos and text by Alexey Osokin

1. Let's start, of course, with lions. These incredibly beautiful and graceful cats are real killing machines. No one can feel calm when they are around them. Lions even attack adult hippos. Nothing is impossible for them. At the same time, the bite force of a lion by African standards is very small - only about 40-50 atmospheres.

2. Cheetahs cannot boast of the strongest bite, but incredibly sharp fangs and incisors leave no chance for the prey...

3. Note: The cheetah's head is designed by nature to take up most of the respiratory system, allowing you to run at great speed. There was no room left for big teeth.

4. Another cat that can kill an animal significantly larger than itself, and then drag the carcass up a tree - a leopard.

5. In terms of bite force, a leopard is the strongest cat in Africa - according to various sources, from 100 to 125 atmospheres.

6. The hippopotamus has the most powerful jaws. And although it feeds mainly on grass, the hippopotamus needs a powerful jaw for battles with other hippos and for protection from predators. They are said to be able to bite a huge crocodile in two. The bite force of these fatties reaches 125 atmospheres.

7. There are legends about the power of the crocodile’s jaws. And for good reason. These cutest creatures have a bite force of 340 atmospheres and this is the highest among all African animals.

9. Hyenas easily chew through strong bones and are even able to chew through the steel bars of cages.

10. The force of a hyena’s bite, according to various sources, ranges from 70 to 90 atmospheres, but incredibly strong and sharp teeth give the power to the bite.

The jaw is probably the most common weapon in the animal kingdom. However, it is worth noting right away that the list is inaccurate due to the fact that there is no data on the bite of some animals.

For example, there is only theoretical data about the bite of a great white shark, but the most powerful bite in relation to its own size is possessed by the Tasmanian devil, which in its habits and power is vaguely reminiscent of a wolverine.

In this list you can get acquainted with the rating of the most powerful bites in the animal world.

10. Leo

Jaw strength – 41 atmospheres.

It may seem strange that this powerful predator and also the King of Beasts occupies only tenth position. Leo is the world's only social cat. Lions prefer to hunt collectively and it is perhaps for this reason that their jaws have not evolved as much as the jaws of some other cats. In addition, when lions attack their victims, as a rule, they strangle them by simply cutting through their trachea, for which there is no particular need for a strong bite.

Lions hunt both at night and during the day, although they hunt large prey mainly at night. They prefer to stay close to water, although they can live without it for up to five days.

9. Tiger

Jaw strength – 71 atmospheres.

Tigers are the largest representatives of the cat family and, moreover, solitary hunters. They can reach 3.5 meters in length and weigh up to 320 kilograms. The tiger goes hunting at night. Like lions, tigers prefer to strangle their victims by the throat, reducing the flow of blood and air to the animal's brain. A tiger's bite is much more powerful than a lion's, which may be due to the fact that they lead a solitary lifestyle. There are almost no tigers in the wild, due to overhunting. Tigers usually avoid people, but attacks on humans have been recorded all over the world.

8. Spotted hyena

Jaw strength - 75 atmospheres.

Most sources say that the spotted hyena's bite force is seventy-five atmospheres, but others indicate a much higher figure, which unfortunately cannot be verified. But one thing is for sure: the hyena has one of the most powerful bites in the animal kingdom, and its jaws are so strong that they can even crush the bones of a giraffe. The likely reason that the hyena has developed such powerful jaws is that the hyena needs to somehow cope with the remains of lions' meals and what is left after other large predators.

Although hyenas look like dogs, they are actually much closer to cats. In any case, hyenas are included in the suborder Felidae, like the cat family. Hyenas have been found to be able to kill a dog with a single bite to the neck. It is a common misconception that hyenas steal prey from lions, but in fact hyenas are much more successful hunters than lions and it is the lions that steal their prey for an hour. Just like lions, hyenas are very social animals and are excellent at cooperating with each other.

7. Grizzly bear

Jaw strength – 81 atmospheres.

The grizzly bear is a North American subspecies of the brown bear and is distinguished by its large size and aggressiveness. True, biologists claim that this is just a fiction and that the grizzly bear is practically no different from the brown bears living in Eastern Siberia. Despite its significant weight, a grizzly bear can reach speeds of up to fifty-six kilometers per hour. For the most part, they feed on nuts, berries and other vegetation, but they can also hunt. In Yellowstone National Park, grizzlies were captured on video while hunting.

Compared to other bears, grizzlies are considered more aggressive. It has been suggested that due to its enormous size, the grizzly bear cannot climb trees. For this reason (also presumably) they have developed a powerful mechanism of aggression, which allows them not only to obtain food for themselves, but also to effectively resist any competitor. Presumably, it was this evolutionary path that led to the fact that the grizzly bear developed such powerful jaws, with the help of which he can cope with wolves and other intruders living in his domain. The average weight of the largest grizzlies living in Alaska is about 450 kilograms. Contrary to the common myth about super-dangerous killer bears, the grizzly bear does not consider humans as prey and can attack only in case of old age, illness or being provoked to do so.

6. Gorilla

Jaw strength - 88 atmospheres.

Many will find it strange that this herbivore is on the list of those with the most powerful jaws. However, the gorilla is one of the rather formidable inhabitants of the jungle. With a height of about 170 cm, the weight of an adult male can reach 235 kilograms, despite the fact that these animals do not tend to accumulate excess fat deposits and most of their weight falls on powerful muscles. It has been noted in the scientific literature that individual male gorillas can reach a height of two meters and twenty centimeters!

The gorilla not only has a very strong jaw, but also powerful limbs. They almost never fight each other and limit themselves to demonstrating their power. They never attack other animals, but can defend themselves if necessary. Strong jaws evolved as an adaptation to eating hard plant foods such as bamboo. The length of the fangs is 5 centimeters and, despite the overall colossal power, special mention should be made of the muscles of the jaw and neck, which provide gorillas with such a powerful bite.

In the past, gorillas were portrayed as huge monsters, but recently their image has become softer due to scientific research. After the chimpanzee, the gorilla is our closest relative. Unfortunately, these animals are on the verge of complete extinction, and there are only about seven hundred of them in the wild. They climb trees well, but prefer to live on the ground; they gather in groups of up to thirty individuals with a dominant male at the head. Completely safe for humans.

5. Hippopotamus

Jaw strength – 124 atmospheres.

The hippopotamus is one of the most powerful herbivores. Despite the fact that public attention is drawn mainly to large predators like lions and leopards, as well as elephants and rhinoceroses, perhaps the hippopotamus is the most dangerous animal in Africa, surpassed only by the black mamba or mosquitoes.

Hippos tend to protect their territory, and during the mating season, male hippos become extremely aggressive. It happens that an enraged hippopotamus will attack even small boats along with their passengers. Unfortunately, scientists were unable to measure the bite force of the male due to their excessive aggressiveness. As for females, their bite strength is given above. It is worth considering that females are not only less aggressive, but are also inferior to males both in body weight (by about ten percent) and in the size and sharpness of their fangs.

The word “hippopotamus” itself comes from the Greek phrase “water horse,” which was caused by this animal’s incredible love for water. In the past, it was believed that the hippopotamus's closest relatives were pigs, but later studies showed that they were whales.

In addition, the hippopotamus is part of the artiodactyl order, so its relatives are also goats and camels.

4. Jaguar

Jaw strength – 136 atmospheres.

The jaguar's jaws are the most powerful among all members of the cat family. Moreover, we can safely say that its bite is stronger than the bite of any other mammal.

From Argentina to Mexico, the jaguar is the true king of the jungle. The jaguar kills its prey by biting its head. Like most cats, the jaguar is a solitary hunter. The jaguar even attacks anacondas and caiman. The strength of his jaws is so great that he can even bite through a turtle shell. Although the jaguar is smaller in size than its cousins ​​living in Asia and Africa, in America they are the largest cats. The most numerous populations of jaguars, according to recent data, live in Belize.

3. American alligator

Jaw strength – 145 atmospheres

American alligators belong to one of two surviving species of alligators (the other being the Chinese alligator). The American alligator population numbers approximately five million, with over 1.2 million living in Florida. Another part of the population lives in Alabama, Georgia, South and North Carolina, Louisiana and Texas.

American alligators share this territory with crocodiles. Their diet consists mostly of small mammals, turtles and fish. Recent studies, during which the bite force of this animal was measured, showed that this reptile takes an honorable third place, and its bite force is 145 atmospheres. However, it is worth considering the fact that these data were obtained from a study of rather small alligators, so in the case of more powerful individuals, the bite force may be noticeably higher.

2 Saltwater crocodile

Jaw strength – 251 atmospheres.

The saltwater crocodile in the studies mentioned above was ranked first in the strength of its bite, but again the bite force of small individuals was measured. According to experts, if the strength of these small crocodiles is translated into the strength of a mighty six-meter giant, the force of its bite can reach 480 atmospheres. These monsters live in Northern Australia, Southeast Asia and Eastern India.

Almost anything that it encounters will suit the saltwater crocodile as food. Residents of Australia affectionately call these reptiles “pickles”, but if they meet them, they, of course, would prefer not to meet such a pickle. Saltwater crocodiles are responsible for most of the recorded cases of attacks on humans, in any case, they are much more dangerous than lions. True, it is worth noting that, like other animals, they do not consider humans as prey and will not hunt him. And since the habitats of these reptiles are designated as dangerous or completely prohibited for walking and swimming, a cautious and law-abiding person will not be in danger of meeting this giant.

1. Nile crocodile

Jaw strength – 340 atmospheres.

In the same experiment that measured the bite force of a saltwater crocodile and an American alligator, the Nile crocodile was ranked second to the saltwater crocodile. However, most sources claim that the force of its bite is three hundred and forty atmospheres! In size, the Nile crocodile is practically no different from the saltwater crocodile.

Accordingly, it can be assumed that the force of its bite is approximately within the same limits as that of its marine counterpart. It should be noted that Nile and saltwater crocodiles are interchangeable champions in terms of bite force, and their indicators will vary quite noticeably depending on how exactly the measurements were taken in the case of a particular crocodile. Nile crocodiles feed mostly on fish, but like their brothers, they tend to attack all animals that are careless enough to cross their path. These are mainly zebras, and even birds and small hippos.

If you find an error, please highlight a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.

Ecology

Below is a list of the ten animals with the most powerful bite forces in the animal kingdom. There are animals that should also have been on this list, but they are not here due to the lack of research into the strength of their bite due to the problematic or expensive nature of this measure.

A notable exception is the great white shark, however, there is only theoretical data. The Tasmanian devil appears to have the most powerful bite relative to its body size (about 14 atmospheres).

10. Leo

Bite force - 41 atmospheres

An unexpected position for the “king of the jungle” (although he never lived in the jungle). Lions are the only social cats in the world. They love to cooperate so much when hunting that this may be one of the reasons why they have evolved to have a bite force comparable to that of a panther or other similar cat.

Another reason may be hunting habits, since the lion strangles its prey by biting its trachea, that is, there is no need for a strong bite. Lions, as a rule, hunt at any time of the day, but often go for large prey at night. They also need water, so they drink daily, but can live for about five days without it.

9. Tiger

Bite force - 71 atmospheres

The largest species of the cat family, the tiger is a solitary hunter. Its body length can reach 3.5 meters, and it can weigh up to 388 kg. It hunts and stalks its prey at night. Like lions, they tend to bite their victims' throats to reduce the flow of air and blood to the animal's head.

Their bite is very powerful, almost twice as strong as a lion's bite. There are fewer tigers in the wild than in captivity. They generally avoid people, however, attacks on people and livestock have been recorded throughout the world.

8. Spotted hyena

Bite force - 75 atmospheres

Most sources claim that the bite force of a hyena is 75 atmospheres, however, Wikipedia says a higher figure, but there are no other sources confirming the information in the online encyclopedia. Speaking about the fact that the hyena has one of the most powerful bites in the animal kingdom, it should be noted that as a result of its attack, even the bones of a giraffe are crushed.

The reason for its bite force is that it needs to get at least some food after lions and other large predators leave the remains of their prey.

Even though they look like dogs, hyenas are actually more closely related to cats. It has been discovered that a hyena can kill a dog with a single bite to the neck. Contrary to popular belief, hyenas hunt, and ironically, lions often steal their food. Like lions, they are very social and cooperative animals.

7. Grizzly bear

Bite force - 81 atmospheres

This North American subspecies of brown bear is known for its incredible size and aggression. Despite its large size, a grizzly bear can reach speeds of up to 56 km/h. They feed mainly on berries and nuts, but also hunt. In Yellowstone National Park, they were spotted and filmed while hunting game.

Grizzlies are considered more aggressive than other bears. It is believed that due to their size, these bears cannot climb trees, which is why they developed this protective mechanism to get food for themselves. This is likely the same evolutionary path that gave the bear its powerful jaws, which help it defend against wolves and other attackers.

They can weigh from 270 to 450 kg. They can pose a danger to humans if frightened or if they are with cubs, but in general they rarely, if ever, hunt humans.

6. Gorilla

Bite force - 88 atmospheres

Some people may be surprised to read this, given the vegetarian nature of these creatures. However, gorillas are the formidable "residents" of this list. Their jaws are primarily adapted to chewing tough plants like bamboo, which gives them incredibly strong jaw and neck muscles.

The gorilla has traditionally been seen as a big scary monster, but in last years her image became “softer.” They are our closest relatives after chimpanzees, and their numbers in the wild are rapidly declining, with about 700 mountain gorillas now remaining. Gorillas can climb trees, but usually live on the ground in communities of up to 30 individuals led by a dominant male. Gorillas are generally gentle creatures and pose no danger to humans.

5. Hippopotamus

Bite force - 124 atmospheres

This is one of the most powerful herbivores. The hippopotamus belongs to the category of the most dangerous animals in Africa. Living in a specific territory, and being very aggressive, there are known cases of attacks on small boats and their crews. Scientists were only able to measure the bite force of the female hippopotamus because males are extremely aggressive.

The word hippopotamus (Hippopotamus) comes from the Greek for "river horse" due to its incredible love for water. The hippopotamus's closest relatives are whales and cows. They belong to the order Artiodactyla, so camels, horses and goats are also relatives of the hippopotamus.

4. Jaguar

Bite force - 136 atmospheres

The jaguar has the strongest bite of any cat and has the strongest bite of any mammal. Being the true king of the jungle, the jaguar lives in the territory from Mexico to Argentina. The jaguar kills by biting its prey on the head. Like most other big cats (except the lion), the jaguar is a solitary killer.

Among the victims of this animal are anacondas and caimans. Its bite is so strong that it can easily bite through even a turtle's shell. The animal got its name from an Indian word, which translated means “one who kills with one jump.” Although smaller in size than its cousins ​​in Africa and Asia, the jaguar is the biggest cat in America. The largest populations of jaguars, according to recent data, live in Belize.

3. American alligator

Bite force - 145 atmospheres

The American alligator is one of only two remaining species of alligator in the world, the other being the Chinese alligator. Its population is about 5 million, with more than 1.2 million living in Florida, with the rest settled in Texas, Louisiana, North and South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama. They share this territory with crocodiles.

Their diet includes mainly fish, turtles and small mammals. In a recent National Geographic study, scientists measured the bite force of an American alligator to be 145 atmospheres, however, it is worth considering that the study involved fairly small alligators, so it is likely that the figure could be higher.

2 Saltwater crocodile

Bite force - 251 atmospheres

Saltwater crocodiles were rated highest by the National Geographic team in bite force measurements. However, they again measured the strength of several small crocodiles. Experts say that if the strength of a small crocodile is converted into the strength of a 6-meter monster, then it can reach up to 480 atmospheres. These monsters live in Eastern India, Southeast Asia and Northern Australia.

Saltwater crocodiles eat everything that comes their way. Australians affectionately call them “pickles”, however, they are not at all affectionate when it comes to this giant. They are responsible for most of the known cases of attacks on people, but they are responsible for no less human lives than the animal at the top of our list.

1. Nile crocodile

Bite force – 340 atmospheres

In an experiment conducted by National Geographic, the bite force of a Nile crocodile was estimated to be lower than that of a saltwater crocodile, but most other sources say 340 atmospheres. The Nile crocodile, as a rule, is almost the same in size as the saltwater crocodile, and accordingly its bite force is approximately in the same range.

These two are interchangeable when it comes to placement on this list, and their bite force will vary depending on the difficulty of measuring it on a crocodile of the desired size. Nile crocodiles feed mainly on fish, but like their brothers, they attack anyone who has the audacity to cross their path. This applies to zebras, birds and even small hippos.