Which Animal Has the Strongest Bite?

Bite force has been measured across many species using force transducers. The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) holds the record at about 16,460 N, measured by biologist Gregory Erickson in 2012. For comparison: great white shark ~8,900 N (estimated from jaw models), spotted hyena ~4,500 N, Bengal tiger ~3,800 N, gorilla ~5,600 N, and human ~890 N. Among extinct animals, Tyrannosaurus rex had an estimated bite force of about 35,000-57,000 N, and the giant prehistoric shark Megalodon may have reached 108,000-182,000 N. Interestingly, while crocodilians have incredibly powerful jaw-closing muscles, their jaw-opening muscles are remarkably weak — a rubber band can keep a crocodile mouth shut. This is because jaw-closing muscles evolved for catching prey, while there is no evolutionary pressure for strong opening. Among living animals relative to body size, the Galapagos large ground finch (Geospiza magnirostris) has one of the highest bite force quotients.