Bite force measures the strength an animal can exert with its jaws, typically expressed as pressure per unit area. This capability is crucial for species like the coyote, an adaptable wild canid found across North America. Understanding the coyote’s bite force provides insight into its predatory abilities and its role within ecosystems. This exploration will cover how scientists measure this force, the anatomical structures that enable it, and its significance in the coyote’s daily life.
Coyote Bite Force Measurement
Coyote bite force is commonly estimated to range between 88 and 132 pounds per square inch (PSI), with some sources indicating up to 153 PSI. This measurement is typically obtained using force transducers or gnathodynamometers, devices that animals are induced to bite, directly recording the pressure exerted. Such direct measurements can be challenging due to animal volition and test conditions.
Scientists also employ indirect methods, such as analyzing skull and jaw morphology, or using computer models and finite element analysis (FEA) to estimate bite force. These computational approaches infer the mechanical advantages of an animal’s jaw structure. Bite force can vary among individual coyotes based on factors like their size, age, health, and environment, with some trends suggesting urban coyotes may exhibit stronger molar bite forces.
Anatomy Behind the Bite
The coyote’s ability to generate its bite force is rooted in specific anatomical features of its skull and dentition. Their skull has a long, narrow snout and jaw, contributing to biting mechanics. The lower jaw in particular is noted for exerting significant power during a bite.
A prominent feature supporting their bite strength is the sagittal crest, a ridge of bone along the top of the skull that serves as a key attachment point for powerful jaw muscles, such as the temporalis and masseter. These muscles, combined with robust jawbones, enable forceful mouth closure. Coyotes possess 42 teeth, including sharp incisors for cutting food, and four canines designed for grabbing, holding, and tearing prey. These canines are broad, pointed, and capable of crushing bone. Additionally, their premolars and molars, often referred to as cheek teeth or carnassial teeth, are adapted for shearing, chewing, crushing, and grinding both meat and bone, demonstrating durability and wear resistance.
Bite Force in Context
The coyote’s bite force, while effective for its ecological role, is generally lower than that of larger canids. For instance, domestic dogs exhibit a wider range of bite forces, with large breeds like German Shepherds reaching 230-291 PSI and Pitbulls around 235 PSI, often exceeding the coyote’s strength. Wolves, being significantly larger, possess a much more powerful bite, typically ranging from 400 to over 1,000 PSI. The average human bite force is around 160 PSI, which can sometimes be comparable to or even slightly exceed the coyote’s lower range.
The coyote’s bite force holds significant ecological importance, directly supporting its survival as a versatile predator and scavenger. This strength is vital for prey capture, allowing them to effectively take down small to medium-sized animals, often employing shearing bites and bite-and-tear techniques. Their powerful jaws and teeth also facilitate the processing of food, enabling them to crush bones and access nutrient-rich marrow from carcasses. Beyond predation, this bite force serves as a defense mechanism against rivals or larger predators. As omnivores, their dental structure and bite strength are adaptable, allowing them to consume a wide variety of food sources, including rodents, rabbits, insects, fruits, and carrion.