The strongest bite among cats. The most powerful bite in the world

Bite force is a very important characteristic for any animal, because it is thanks to it that the animal not only seeks food, but also defends itself from enemies. We invite you to get acquainted with the list of the most powerful bites in the animal kingdom.

Who do you think will be in first place?

2. 24th place – Piranha, PSI: unknown

The bite force of this small fish is 30 times its body weight. Although the exact strength of its bite is also still unknown.

3. 23rd place – Leopard, PSI: 300-310
One of the five "big cats" of the panther genus, it is known for its athleticism and speed. You should avoid meeting a leopard, as it is almost impossible to escape from it.

4. 22nd place – Tiger shark, PSI: 325
This sea creature is considered one of the most dangerous predators in the ocean. In fact, the bite force of a tiger shark is only 325.

5. 21st place – Wild Dog, PSI: 340
Although the appearance of this animal is a little unsightly, in terms of bite it is not much inferior to pumas.

6. 20th place – Puma, PSI: 350
The puma is not only one of the fastest animals, but also has a strong bite. Thanks to their muscular jaws and long fangs, cougars can easily bite into meat, tendons and muscles.

7. 19th place – Wolf, PSI: 406
Wolves are excellent hunters, and their bite force is 406 PSI.

8. 18th place – Mastiff, PSI: 556
It is mastiffs, not pit bulls or Rottweilers, that have the strongest bite among domesticated dogs.

9. 17th place – White shark, PSI: 669
The bite of sharks is not very strong, but they don’t really need it, because they inflict the main damage with their teeth.

10. 16th place – Leo, PSI: 691
The lion's bite is not the strongest and therefore it is only in 16th place on our list.

11. 15th place – Jaguar, PSI: 700

Jaguars have the strongest bite relative to body weight of any cat family.

12. 14th place – Brown bear, PSI: 850
The brown bear has a bite force reaching 850 PSI.

13. 13th place – Kodiak, PSI: 930
Kodiak is the largest subspecies of brown bear and one of the largest representatives of the bear genus.

14. 12th place – Amur tiger, PSI: 950
Amur tigers boast powerful jaws and very sharp teeth.

15. 11th place – Cayman turtle, PSI: 1000
The bite force of a snapping turtle reaches 1000 PSI.

16. 10th place – Bengal tiger, PSI: 1050
The largest representatives of the cat family are famous for their strength and power.

17. 9th place – Hyena, PSI: 1100
This unattractive animal has teeth specially adapted for eating rough food and crushing large bones.

18. 8th place – Polar bear, PSI: 1235
These are one of the strongest and toughest mammals on the planet and have a very powerful bite.

19. 7th place – Grizzly Bear, PSI: 1250
These majestic animals have very strong teeth.

20. 6th place - Blunt shark, PSI: 1250 This predator is considered one of the most vicious and deadly in the world, and its bite is in third place on our list.

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.

We bring to your attention ten animals with the most powerful bites in the animal world. There are animals that would most likely be in this top ten, but the strength of their bites has not yet been measured due to the complexity or high cost of measurements. For example, a white shark, which should have a very strong bite, but there is no exact measurement of it other than theoretical estimates. The Tasmanian devil has the strongest bite relative to its size - 13.6 atmospheres (14 kilogram-force per square centimeter), which is only slightly more than that of hyenas.

10. Leo
42 kgf per sq. cm

An unexpectedly low place for the king of beasts. Lions are the only social felines in the world. They almost always hunt together, which is perhaps why they did not have to develop strong bites. Another reason may be that they kill their prey by biting the trachea, which does not require a strong bite. Lions hunt at any time of the day, but most often at night. They can go without water for five days, but prefer to drink daily if possible.

9. Tiger
74 kgf per sq. cm


Tigers, the largest members of the cat family, hunt alone. The size of tigers reaches 3.3 meters and weighs about 300 kilograms. They hunt mainly at night. Like lions, they usually kill their prey by grabbing the throat, thereby cutting off the flow of blood and air. They have a strong bite that is almost twice as strong as a lion's bite. Currently, the number of tigers kept in captivity is greater than the number of wild tigers. They generally avoid people, but in some conditions they can attack people and livestock.

8. Spotted hyena
77 kgf per sq. cm


Hyenas have one of the strongest bites in the animal kingdom - 77 kgf per square centimeter. With their bite they can even bite through the bones of giraffes. Most likely, it is the fact that hyenas are scavengers that causes their strong jaws. To get to the bone marrow, which is not of interest to large predators, strong jaws are needed.

Although hyenas look like dogs, they are actually closer to cats and belong to the suborder Felidae rather than Canidae. Hyenas can kill a dog with one bite. Despite popular belief, hyenas do hunt themselves, and lions, ironically, often steal their prey. Like lions, hyenas are social animals.

7. Grizzly
84 kgf per sq. cm

Found primarily in North America, this subspecies of brown bear is known for its enormous size and aggression. Despite their size, grizzlies can reach speeds of 56 kilometers per hour. Grizzlies mainly feed on nuts and berries, but sometimes they also hunt. In Yellowstone National Park, for example, they hunt other animals.

Grizzlies are considered more aggressive than other bears. This is due to the fact that due to their size they cannot climb trees, and therefore they have developed such a unique defense mechanism. In addition to aggression, during the course of evolution, grizzly bears have also developed strong jaws, which help them protect themselves from wolves and other predators. Grizzlies weigh between 300 and 500 kilograms. They can be dangerous to humans if they encounter a mother with cubs, but grizzly bears do not view humans as prey.

6. Gorilla
91 kgf per sq. cm

Gorillas eat plant foods, so it's strange to see them in this top ten. In fact, there is little surprise here. Gorillas feed on tough and durable plants such as bamboo - to do this they had to develop strong jaws and neck muscles.
Gorillas used to be seen as big scary animals, but recently they are increasingly seen as "gentle giants." They are our closest relatives (only chimpanzees are closer), and their population is rapidly declining (there are only 700 mountain gorillas left in the wild). Gorillas can climb trees, but most often they prefer to be on the ground. They usually live in communities of 30 individuals, led by a dominant old male. Gorillas are predominantly gentle creatures and pose no danger to humans.

5. Hippopotamus
128 kgf per sq. cm

Hippos are large and strong herbivores. They are one of the most feared animals in Africa. Hippos are aggressive and defend their territory by capsizing small boats and attacking people. The bite of a female hippopotamus was measured, since males are too aggressive, but even the force of her bite reached a huge value of 128 kgf per square centimeter. The word "hippopotamus" comes from the Greek language and means "water horse." The closest relatives of hippopotamuses are whales and cows. They belong to the order Artiodactyla, which also includes horses, camels and goats.

4. Jaguar
141 kgf per sq. cm


Jaguars have the strongest bite of all cats and mammals in general. They live mainly in North and South America. Jaguars kill by biting the victim's head. Like many others big cats jaguars hunt alone. There are known cases where jaguars killed anacondas and caimans. Jaguar bites are so strong that they can even bite through the shell of a turtle. The word "jaguar" comes from the American Indian language and means "one-leap kill." Although jaguars are smaller than their African and Asian relatives, they are the largest feline in the Americas.

Jaguars are thought to have disappeared from the southern United States more than 100 years ago, but rumors have recently surfaced that a population may be developing in Arizona. The largest number of jaguars live in Belize, in the Cockscomb Basin reservation.

3. Mississippi alligator
149 kgf per sq. cm


Mississippi alligators are one of two extant species of alligators (the other being the Chinese alligator). Their population currently stands at 5 million, of which 1.2 million live in Florida. Their natural habitats are Florida, Texas, Louisiana, North and South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama. Crocodiles also live in these same areas. They feed mainly on fish, turtles and small mammals. A recent National Geographic study estimated an alligator's bite at 149 kg per square centimeter, but their bites may be stronger since the study did not measure the largest member of the species.

2. Saltwater crocodile
260 kgf per sq. cm


Saltwater (or saltwater) crocodiles have the strongest bite of the specimens in the National Geographic study. True, they didn’t even choose the biggest crocodile. If you estimate the bite force of the largest crocodiles, you will most likely get a bite force of 500 kgf per square centimeter.

The range of saltwater crocodiles extends from eastern India to southeastern Asia and northern Australia. Their “diet” includes buffalo, fish and even sharks. Australians affectionately call these crocodiles “salties,” but there is nothing gentle about these giants. They are responsible for more attacks on humans than any other crocodiles (except the first place in this top ten).

1. Nile crocodile
352 kgf per sq. cm


In a National Geographic experiment, Nile crocodiles' bites were weaker than those of saltwater crocodiles, but most other sources state that Nile crocodiles bite with a force of 352 kg per square centimeter. Nile crocodiles are usually about the same size as saltwater crocodiles and have the same bite force. Both of them can take first or second place on this list, since it is difficult to choose which individuals to test and difficult to figure out how to conduct the experiment correctly.

Nile crocodiles primarily feed on fish, but like their relatives, they will attack any animal that happens to be nearby, such as zebras, birds and small hippos.

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. Leo, 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 widely distributed 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 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 saltwater crocodile is the largest reptile living 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.

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, the 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.