Which Animal Possesses the Most Powerful Bite on Earth?

Main Points

Sharks, crocodiles, lions, tigers, and bears—oh my! With all those sharp teeth, which creature has the most powerful bite on the planet?

Comparing bite strength is surprisingly complex. Bite force refers to the pressure an animal applies when biting, measured in Newtons, or kilogram-meters per second squared.

However, getting the world's fiercest predators to bite the same measuring tool isn't feasible, making it difficult to account for external factors. For rare or dangerous species, scientists use digital reconstructions of skulls and jaw muscles to estimate bite force.

Is it fair to compare estimated bite forces to actual physical tests? Most bite force data, whether from models or real-world tests, remains an approximation. For some animals, like killer whales and polar bears, no data exists at all.

Using the data we have, here are the top 10 animals with the strongest bite forces in the animal kingdom.

10. Gray Wolf: 593 N

A 2005 review of mammalian bites revealed that the gray wolf (Canis lupus) boasts the strongest bite among canines, measuring 593 Newtons. For comparison, a 2014 study showed that the average human bite force ranges from 149 to 354 N, varying by age and gender.

Gray wolves inhabit North America, Eurasia, and Africa. An adult male typically exceeds 6 feet (1.8 meters) in length and weighs around 100 pounds (45.4 kg), according to Britannica.

Wolves are top predators, with humans posing their greatest danger. In the U.S., gray wolves are safeguarded by the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

9. Brown Bear: 751 N

While brown bears (Ursus arctos) mainly consume salmon and berries, their powerful jaws deliver a formidable bite. According to a 2005 review of mammal bites, the brown bear, including grizzly and Kodiak bears, has the strongest bite among bears at 751 N.

However, the study excluded polar bears (Ursus maritimus), the largest in the Ursus family. It’s plausible that polar bears have a stronger bite force than brown bears, but there’s no verified data to confirm this.

8. Spotted Hyena: 773 N

While a hyena’s laugh might seem amusing, its bite is no joke. The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) boasts a bite force of 773 N, surpassing even that of a bear, as noted in this review of mammal bites.

Although hyenas resemble dogs, they share a closer genetic link with cats. These African predators often rival lions for food, as reported by the San Diego Zoo.

7. Tiger: 1,525 N

With a bite force of 1,525 N, as noted in a 2005 review, the tiger (Panthera tigris) is a force to be reckoned with.

A 2012 study in The Anatomical Record analyzed nine big cat species, revealing that while tigers have the strongest bite force, the jaguar (Panthera onca) has the most powerful bite relative to its size. Adam Hartstone-Rose, one of the study’s authors, told BBC Wildlife: “If you had to choose, you’d prefer a jaguar’s bite over a lion’s or tiger’s. But pound for pound, jaguars deliver a more forceful bite.”

Hartstone-Rose elaborated, “The jaguar’s bite strength stems from its jaw muscle arrangement, which, relative to its weight, is slightly more robust than other cats. Additionally, its shorter jaws enhance leverage during biting.”

6. Lion: 1,768 N

Despite being slightly smaller than the tiger, the lion (Panthera leo) boasts a stronger bite force of 1,768 N, as noted in a 2005 review. Its powerful jaws enable it to hunt large prey like buffalos, elephants, and hippopotamuses, though its diet primarily includes antelopes, wildebeests, and zebras.

To subdue its prey, a lion targets the neck, using its forceful bite to suffocate the animal, as explained by Britannica.

5. Bull Shark: 5,914 N

The bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) is one of only two shark species capable of thriving in both freshwater and saltwater. Known for their aggression, bull sharks have a unique hunting technique: they nudge their prey with their blunt snouts before delivering a crushing bite, generating up to 5,914 N of force at the back of the jaw, as per a 2012 study in Zoology.

How does its bite stack up against other sharks? Dr. Philip J. Motta, one of the study’s authors, explained to USA Today: “An 18-foot great white shark will still have a stronger bite than an 11-foot bull shark due to its size. However, pound-for-pound, a bull shark of the same size would outperform it.”

4. American Alligator: 9,452 N

Measuring the bite force of large animals often relies on data from crocodilians. While much of the data on sharks and big cats is theoretical, a 2012 study in PLoS One used live reptiles biting a specialized instrument to obtain accurate measurements.

The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) recorded one of the most powerful bites at 9,452 N, capable of crushing a turtle shell. These alligators can regenerate worn-down teeth, with a single individual replacing up to 3,000 teeth in its lifetime, as reported by the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute.

3. Mako Shark: 13,000 N

The shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) holds the record as the largest shark to have its bite force physically measured. In a 2020 episode of “Mako Nation,” marine biologist Dr. Riley Elliott used a specialized device off New Zealand’s coast to record a bite force of 13,000 N.

Dr. Elliott told Newsweek, “The number is astonishing, but it highlights how little we know about mako sharks.” These mackerel sharks can grow up to 15 feet (4.8 meters) long and weigh over 1,100 pounds (499 kg).

2. Saltwater Crocodile: 16,414 N

The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) holds the record for the strongest physically measured bite force at 16,414 N. This measurement came from a 3,689-pound (1,763.3-kg) individual in a 2012 study that analyzed the bite forces of 83 adult crocodilians across 23 species.

As the largest living reptile, the saltwater crocodile’s immense bite force aligns with its size, as bite strength is closely tied to body mass. This species also ranks as the largest crocodile globally.

Saltwater crocodiles are versatile predators, consuming anything from tiny insects to massive water buffalo.

1. Great White Shark: 18,216 N

Weighing up to 5,000 pounds (2,268 kg), the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) is the largest predatory fish, preying on marine mammals like seals and sea lions. It’s no surprise that its shark bite is the most powerful among animals.

Measuring the bite force of a great white shark was no simple task.

A 2008 study in the Journal of Zoology used digital reconstructions of the great white’s jaws to estimate its bite force. The results showed a maximum bite force of 18,216 N, though this figure might be conservative.

The study highlights that behaviors like lateral shaking could add significant force, similar to how a dog shakes its prey during tug-of-war.

Despite the great white shark’s formidable bite, the researchers noted that 18,216 N “seems modest relative to the predator’s body mass.” Dr. Stephen Wroe, one of the study’s authors, clarified: “While the great white’s bite isn’t extraordinary pound-for-pound, its massive size ensures it leads in absolute terms.”