Bite force is a measure of an animal’s biological power, representing the pressure generated when the jaws clamp down. This capacity is typically quantified in pounds per square inch (PSI) or Newtons (N), and it is a direct indicator of a species’ ecological role. A powerful bite dictates a predator’s hunting strategy, allowing it to subdue large prey, crush bone to access nutrient-rich marrow, or serve as a defense mechanism against rivals and threats. The evolutionary drive for maximum bite force has resulted in some of the most impressive biological mechanics in the history of life on Earth.
How Scientists Measure and Estimate Bite Force
Determining the strength of an animal’s bite requires different methods depending on whether the subject is alive or exists only in the fossil record. For living animals, scientists use in vivo measurement, which involves coaxing the subject to bite down on a specialized force transducer or plate. This device contains sensors that directly register the pressure exerted by the animal’s jaws, providing a real-world measurement of the force. However, obtaining reliable in vivo data is challenging, as the measurement can be highly variable based on the animal’s motivation, the testing situation, and the exact point of the bite.
The methodology shifts significantly for extinct animals, where no direct measurement is possible. Paleontologists rely on estimation using sophisticated biomechanical models based on preserved fossil evidence. This process begins with detailed analysis of the skull, often using computed tomography (CT) scans to create a three-dimensional digital model. Researchers then reconstruct the musculature, estimating the size and orientation of the massive adductor muscles by examining muscle attachment scars on the bone. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is then used to simulate the stresses and strains on the skull under a biting load, providing a calculated estimate of the maximum possible bite force.
The Strongest Bites Among Living Animals
The absolute record for the strongest measured bite force among animals living today belongs to the crocodile family. The Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), an apex predator native to Australia and Southeast Asia, has been measured with a bite force of up to 3,700 PSI. This immense pressure is generated by highly specialized jaw-closing muscles, allowing the crocodile to hold and subdue large prey like water buffalo. The muscles used to open a crocodile’s jaw are comparatively weak, which is an evolutionary trade-off for the crushing power of the closing muscles.
Other modern crocodilians also exhibit extraordinary bite strength, with the American Alligator possessing a measured bite force of over 2,125 PSI. Among mammals, the Spotted Hyena is a notable contender, capable of exerting around 1,100 PSI, a force necessary for its bone-crushing diet. The Great White Shark has an estimated bite force that ranges up to 4,000 PSI, though these numbers are typically based on computer modeling rather than direct measurement. These figures set a high baseline for modern biological power, but they are dwarfed by the estimates for some prehistoric giants.
The Prehistoric Animal with the Maximum Bite Force
The search for the maximum bite force in history points toward the largest extinct crocodilians and massive predatory dinosaurs. While Tyrannosaurus rex is often cited, with estimated bite forces reaching up to 12,800 PSI, the absolute maximum appears to be held by an ancient relative of modern crocodiles. The prehistoric giant Deinosuchus, which lived during the Late Cretaceous period, is a primary contender with an estimated bite force that may have exceeded 23,000 PSI. This “terrible crocodile” measured up to 35 feet long and was capable of preying on dinosaurs that approached the water’s edge.
Another massive prehistoric crocodilian, Purussaurus, an extinct caiman from the Miocene epoch, is also considered a leading candidate for the strongest bite. Some models suggest that the largest individuals of Purussaurus may have generated forces exceeding 100,000 Newtons, translating to a crushing pressure far greater than that of Deinosuchus. This extreme force was made possible by the enormous size of their skulls and the massive attachment areas for their jaw muscles. The robust construction of their craniums allowed them to withstand the internal stresses created by these powerful bites, enabling them to crush the bones of their prey.
The extinct giant shark Megalodon is also a strong candidate, with estimations for its maximum bite force reaching as high as 40,000 PSI. However, the difficulty in accurately modeling a shark’s cartilaginous jaw structure, which does not fossilize well, means that the most concrete evidence remains with the giant archosaurs. These prehistoric predators created jaw forces that remain unsurpassed in the modern world.