Shark bite force: consequences. The strongest jaws of the animal world The most powerful jaws in the world

Thanks to the work of dog breeders, there are more than four hundred dog breeds today. Some representatives, such as the Pekingese, have seen the rise and fall of ancient empires, others have appeared more recently. A separate place is occupied by guard dogs, they are out of time and fashion, people love them as true friends and reliable guards.

When choosing a breed of dog that will play the role of a “security guard” or a house watchman, special attention is paid to speed, distrust, and the ability to make independent decisions. Not the last place is occupied by the moment who has the most strong jaws. What dog breed has a powerful bite that can stop an intruder?

Not with teeth alone

Which dog bites the most? The one that really wants to bite. It looks like a joke, but only partly. The strongest jaws in dogs are not yet a guarantee that they will be used. There are breeds in which aggression is genetically absent - Labrador, Golden Retriever. Although they are not inferior to the German Shepherd in their strength and mass, these dogs are not capable of attacking a person.

Among representatives of guard breeds, it is rare, but still there are good-natured specimens that do a poor job of protecting the owner or property. In this case, the problem lies in education, under the guidance of an experienced dog handler in a Rottweiler, or perhaps awakening the inherent potential.

Anatomy of a bite

In fact, a dog is a construction of bones and muscles. Considering it purely from an engineering point of view, you can determine which dog breed has the strongest jaws. There is a clear correlation of physiological features.

For "biting" the pet must have a massive head with a large mouth. To maintain balance, such a muzzle should be attached to a short neck, which reduces the load on the spine. The optimal ratio is equal in size to the cranial and maxillary regions. In this case, the grip is quite deep and strong. In breeds with an elongated muzzle, for example, Russian Borzoi, with the strength of chewing muscles equal to the Doberman, this is why the bite will lose.

Bulldogs have short jaws great power, but at the expense special structure they have a so-called "dead grip". Reduced grip and bite area. Breeds with a shortened nasopharynx have a weak sense of smell, and clinging to the enemy, they lose maneuverability and become vulnerable. It's hard for them to move quickly.

Golden mean

Knowing the aspects that affect the bite, one can understand that the strongest jaws in dogs of those breeds that have a fairly large head with a wide opening of the jaws. In addition, the guard must have a sufficient level of aggression and courage to use his formidable weapon. It was this rule that people were guided by, deducing protective guard breeds to protect a person and his property. In addition, guard dogs must have a calm disposition, be easy to train, and be devoted to the owner's family. An overly excitable dog does not respond well to commands and can turn from a protector into a troublemaker.

Dogs have the strongest jaws. Top rocks

There are breeds that are recognized as the best guards. They have the power of bite and the desire to protect the owner, his property successfully complement each other. Some of them appeared in the course of life, the main breeder was nature itself, living conditions did not allow puppies with insufficiently strong jaws and character to survive. Others were bred by man, but are not inferior in protective qualities and the ability to prove with their teeth to the enemy of the owner that he committed stupidity by encroaching on his property.

The strongest jaws in dogs of this breed are combined with large sizes body. The height of the male at the withers is 70 cm or more.

In addition, the blood of the herding and fighting breeds flows in the representatives of the CAO, which makes them vigilant, but balanced guards. Nature carried out selection in harsh conditions, and people polished the result. As a result, the dogs turned out to be ideal family members, kind to children and other animals, they are merciless to large predators and uninvited guests. On distant teeth, the bite force is at least 300 kg.

Cane Corso

Speaking about which dog has the strongest jaws, it is impossible not to mention this breed. True guards clearly divide the world into “us” and “them”.

They can safely be trusted with a child, a cana will lay down his life to protect the master's offspring. Defeating a dog consisting of 50 kg of iron muscles, possessing agility, fearlessness and incredibly sharp fangs is not an easy task. In the family circle, the animal is calm and good-natured.

Able to scare away with one look. Huge, lion-like dogs are able to make independent decisions and act according to the situation.

They must not be allowed to dominate, in which case the "Caucasians" are obedient and manageable. They do not have excessive aggression, but no one is allowed to offend the owner or encroach on his property. In terms of bite strength, it is not inferior to the two previous breeds - 13.5 atmospheres.

Rottweiler

More like a bodyguard than a watchman. He is focused on people, needs their society. Order is strictly observed in the controlled territory.

Sustained, calm, adequate, independent in decision-making. This breed needs a strict but friendly environment and thorough training. Great companion for adults and older children. The Rottweiler is friendly to kids, but may not distinguish between play with rudeness and react too violently. Compression force - 146 kg.

Excellent scent, lightning-fast reaction, sensitive ears and strong jaws - features breeds. It is worth adding here a remarkable mind, love for work and learning - and we get the perfect dog.

Shepherd does not choose one owner, she perfectly obeys all family members. She must have a job - to guard the house, look after the children, accompany the owner. Without this, she misses, the character of the dog deteriorates. Force of pressure of teeth - from 120 to 315 kg.

Do not forget about pit bulls, bull terriers and American Staffordshire terriers. The strength of the jaws of these dogs is 120 kg or more. They have a strong grip, quick reaction, extremely maneuverable. Escaping them will not be easy. However, dogs of these breeds, with adequate education, are absolutely not hostile to humans and will not attack without a serious reason.

It is impossible to say unequivocally which breed has the strongest jaw in a dog. There are dozens of breeds in the world suitable for protection. And a representative of any of them in dangerous situation can set a record that no one will know about.

We bring to your attention the ten animals with the strongest bites in the animal world. There are animals that would most likely fall into 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 the strongest bite, but accurate measurement it does not exist except for theoretical estimates. The Tasmanian Devil has the most strong bite relative to its size - 13.6 atmospheres (14 kilogram-force per square centimeter), which is only a little 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 probably why they didn't have to develop strong bites during their evolution. 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 five days without water, but prefer to drink daily if possible.

9. Tiger
74 kgf per sq. cm


Tigers are the largest members of the cat family and hunt alone. The sizes of tigers reach 3.3 meters and weigh about 300 kilograms. They hunt mainly at night. Like lions, they usually kill their prey by clutching the throat, thereby blocking the flow of blood and air. They have a strong bite that is almost twice as strong as a lion's bite. On this moment the number of tigers in captivity is greater than the number of wild tigers. They usually avoid humans, but in some conditions they may attack humans 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 the bones of giraffes. Most likely, the fact that hyenas are scavengers determines their strong jaws. To get to the bone marrow, which is not of interest to large predators, you need strong jaws.

Although hyenas look like dogs, they are actually closer to cats and belong to the feline suborder, not canids. Hyenas can kill a dog with one bite. Despite popular belief, hyenas still hunt themselves, and lions, ironically, often steal prey from them. Like lions, hyenas are social animals.

7. Grizzly
84 kgf per sq. cm

This subspecies brown bear, living primarily in North America, is known for its huge size and aggression. Despite their size, grizzlies can reach speeds of 56 kilometers per hour. Mostly grizzlies eat nuts and berries, but sometimes they 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 kind of protective mechanism. In addition to aggression, during the course of evolution, grizzlies have also developed strong jaws that help them defend themselves against wolves and other predators. Grizzlies weigh between 300 and 500 kilograms. They can be dangerous to humans if they come across a mother with cubs, but grizzlies do not consider 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 plants as tough and durable as bamboo - for this they had to develop strong jaws and neck muscles.
Gorillas used to be seen as big scary beasts, but in Lately increasingly they are seen as "gentle giants". They are our closest relatives (closer only to chimpanzees), and their population is rapidly declining (only 700 mountain gorillas remain 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 delicate creatures and do not pose a danger to humans.

5 Hippo
128 kgf per sq. cm

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

4. Jaguar
141 kgf per sq. cm


Jaguars have the strongest bite among felines and mammals in general. They live mainly in the North and South America. Jaguars kill with a bite to the head of the victim. Like many other big cats, jaguars hunt alone. Jaguars have been known to kill anacondas and caimans. Jaguar bites are so strong that they can even bite through the shell of a tortoise. The word "jaguar" comes from the language of the American Indians and means "killing with one jump." Although smaller than their African and Asian relatives, jaguars are the largest felids in the Americas.

In the southern United States, jaguars are thought to have disappeared for over 100 years, but recently there have been rumors that their population in Arizona may develop. The largest number Jaguars live in Belize, in the Cockscomb Basin.

3. Mississippi alligator
149 kgf per sq. cm


The Mississippi alligators are one of only two species of alligators that have survived (the other being the Chinese). Their population currently stands at 5 million individuals, of which 1.2 million live in Florida. Their natural ranges are Florida, Texas, Louisiana, North and South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama. Crocodiles also live in these areas. They feed mainly on fish, turtles and small mammals. In a recent National Geographic study, an alligator bite was estimated at 149 kgf per square centimeter, but their bites may be stronger, since this study measured not the most big representative kind.

2. Salted crocodile
260 kgf per sq. cm


Saltwater (or saltwater) crocodiles have the strongest bite of any specimen in the National Geographic study. True, they did not choose the largest crocodile either. 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 combed crocodiles runs from eastern India to southeast Asia and northern Australia. Their "diet" includes buffaloes, fish and even sharks. Australians affectionately call these crocodiles "salts", but there is nothing gentle about these giants. They are responsible for more attacks on humans than any other crocodiles (other than the top ten).

1. Nile crocodile
352 kgf per sq. cm


In a National Geographic experiment, the bites of Nile crocodiles were weaker than those of saltwater crocodiles, but most other sources state that Nile crocodiles bite with a force of 352 kgf 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 in this list, since it is difficult to choose which individuals to test and difficult to get how to conduct the experiment correctly.

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

The jaw is probably the most common weapon in the animal kingdom. True, it is worth noting right away that the list is inaccurate due to the fact that there is no data on the bite of some animals.

For example, there is only theoretical data about the bite of a great white shark, and most powerful bite in relation to its own size has Tasmanian devil, vaguely reminiscent of a wolverine in its habits and power.

In this list, you can get acquainted with the rating of the most powerful bites in the animal world.

10. Leo

Jaw strength - 41 atmospheres.

It may seem strange that this mighty predator and part-time King of beasts, occupies only the tenth position. The lion is the only social cat in the world. Lions prefer to hunt collectively, and perhaps for this reason, the jaws have not evolved as much as the jaws of some other cats. In addition, lions, attacking their victims, as a rule, suffocate them by simply biting their trachea, for which there is no special need for a strong bite.

Lions hunt both at night and during the day, although they hunt large prey mainly at night. They prefer to stay close to water, although they can live without it for up to five days.

9. Tiger

Jaw strength - 71 atmospheres.

Tigers are the largest representatives of the cat family and, moreover, solitary hunters. In length, they can reach 3.5 meters, and weight up to 320 kilograms. The tiger goes hunting at night. Like lions, tigers prefer to choke their prey by the throat, cutting off the blood and air supply to the animal's brain. The bite of a tiger is much more powerful than a lion's bite, which may be due to the fact that they lead a solitary lifestyle. IN wild nature there are almost no tigers, the reason for which is excessive hunting. Tigers usually avoid humans, but attacks on humans have been recorded around the world.

8 Spotted Hyena

Jaw strength - 75 atmospheres.

Most sources say that the bite force of the spotted hyena is seventy-five atmospheres, but others indicate a much higher figure, which unfortunately cannot be verified. But one thing is for sure: the hyena has one of the most powerful bites in the animal world, and its jaws are so strong that they can even crush the bones of a giraffe. The probable reason that the hyena has formed such powerful jaws, lies in the fact that the hyena needs to somehow cope with the remnants of lion meals and what remains after other large predators.

Despite the fact that the hyena looks like a dog, in fact they are much closer to cats. In any case, hyenas are included in the cat-like suborder, like the cat family. Hyenas have been found to be capable of killing a dog with a single bite to the neck. It is a common misconception that hyenas steal prey from lions, but in fact, hyenas are much more successful hunters than lions and it is the lions who steal their prey for an hour. Just like lions, hyenas are very social animals and are excellent at cooperating with each other.

7 Grizzly Bear

Jaw strength - 81 atmospheres.

The grizzly bear is a North American subspecies of the brown bear and is known for its large size and aggressiveness. True, biologists say that this is just fiction and that grizzlies are practically no different from those living in Eastern Siberia brown bears. Despite its considerable weight, the grizzly can reach speeds of up to fifty-six kilometers per hour. For the most part they feed on nuts, berries and other vegetation, but they can also hunt. IN national park Yellowstone grizzlies were caught on video while hunting.

Compared to other bears, grizzlies are considered more aggressive. It has been suggested that because of their huge size, grizzlies cannot climb trees. For this reason (also presumably) a powerful mechanism of aggression has developed in them, which allows not only to get their own food, but also to effectively resist any competitor. Presumably this one evolutionary path led to the fact that the grizzly formed such powerful jaws, with which he can cope with wolves and other intruders living in his possessions. Average weight the largest living in Alaska, the grizzly is about 450 kilograms. Contrary to the popular myth about super-dangerous killer bears, the grizzly bear does not consider a person as prey and will only attack in case of old age, illness, or being provoked to do so.

6 Gorilla

Jaw strength - 88 atmospheres.

It will seem strange to many that this herbivore is on the list of owners of the most powerful jaws. However, the gorilla is one of the rather formidable inhabitants of the jungle. With a height of about 170 cm, the weight of an adult male can reach 235 kilograms, despite the fact that these animals do not tend to accumulate excessive fat deposits and most of their weight falls on powerful muscles. IN scientific literature it was noted that individual male gorillas can reach a height of two meters and twenty centimeters!

The gorilla has not only a very strong jaw, but also powerful limbs. They almost never fight each other and limit themselves to demonstrating their power. They never attack other animals, but can defend themselves if necessary. Strong jaws evolved as an adaptation to eating hard plant food such as bamboo. The length of the fangs is 5 centimeters and, despite the overall colossal power, the muscles of the jaw and neck, which provide the gorillas with such a powerful bite, should be especially highlighted.

In the past, gorillas were portrayed as huge monsters, but recently their image has become softer thanks to scientific research. After the chimpanzee, the gorilla is our closest relative. Unfortunately, these animals are on the verge of complete extermination, and there are only about seven hundred of them in the wild. They climb trees well, but prefer to live on the ground, huddle in groups of up to thirty individuals with a dominant male at the head. Completely safe for humans.

5. Hippo

Jaw strength - 124 atmospheres.

The hippopotamus is one of the most powerful herbivores. Despite the fact that public attention is drawn mainly to large predators like lions and leopards, as well as elephants and rhinoceros, perhaps it is the hippopotamus that is the most dangerous animal in Africa, which can only be surpassed by black mamba or mosquitoes.

Hippos tend to defend their territory, and during mating season male hippos become extremely aggressive. It happens that a furious hippo will attack even small boats along with their passengers. Unfortunately, the scientists failed to measure the bite force of the male due to their excessive aggressiveness. As for the females, their bite force is given above. It is worth considering that females are not only less aggressive, but also inferior to males both in body weight (by about ten percent), and in size and sharpness of fangs.

The word "behemoth" itself comes from the Greek phrase "water horse", which was caused by incredible love this animal to the water. In the past, it was believed that the closest relatives of the hippopotamus are pigs, but more recent studies have shown that these are whales.

In addition, the hippopotamus is included in the order of artiodactyls, so goats and camels are also its relatives.

4. Jaguar

Jaw strength - 136 atmospheres.

The jaws of the jaguar are the most powerful among all members of the cat family. Moreover, we can safely say that its bite is superior in strength to the bite of any other mammal.

From Argentina to Mexico, the jaguar is the real king of the jungle. The jaguar kills its prey by biting its head. Like most cats, the jaguar is a solitary hunter. The jaguar even attacks the anaconda and caiman. The strength of his jaws is so great that he is able to bite through even a turtle shell. Although the jaguar is inferior in size to its cousins ​​living in Asia and Africa, they are the largest cats in America. The most numerous populations of jaguars, according to the latest data, live in Belize.

3. American alligator

Jaw strength - 145 atmospheres

American alligators are one of only two surviving alligator species (the other being the Chinese alligator). The American alligator has a population of about five million, with over 1.2 million living in Florida. Another part of the population lives in Alabama, Georgia, South and North Carolina, Louisiana and Texas.

American alligators share this territory with crocodiles. Their diet consists mostly of small mammals, turtles and fish. Recent studies, during which the bite force of this animal was measured, showed that this reptile occupies an honorable third place, and its bite force is 145 atmospheres. True, it is worth considering the fact that these data were obtained in the study of rather small alligators, therefore, in the case of more powerful individuals, the bite force can be noticeably higher.

2 Saltwater crocodile

Jaw strength - 251 atmospheres.

The saltwater crocodile was ranked first in the studies mentioned above for the strength of its bite, but again the bite strength of smaller specimens was measured. According to experts, if the strength of these small crocodiles is translated into the strength of a mighty six-meter giant, the strength of his bite can reach 480 atmospheres. These monsters live in Northern Australia, Southeast Asia and East India.

Almost everything that he meets will be suitable as food for the saltwater crocodile. The inhabitants of Australia affectionately call these reptiles "salties", but if they meet them, they, of course, would prefer not to meet such a salty. Saltwater crocodiles are responsible for most of the recorded attacks on humans, in any case, they are much more dangerous lion. True, it is worth noting that, like other animals, they do not consider a person as prey and will not hunt him specifically. And since the habitats of these reptiles are designated as dangerous or completely prohibited for walking and swimming, a meeting with this giant does not threaten a cautious and law-abiding person.

1. Nile crocodile

Jaw strength - 340 atmospheres.

In the same experiment that measured the bite force of the saltwater crocodile and the American alligator, the Nile crocodile came in second, giving the palm to the saltwater crocodile. However, most sources claim that the force of his bite is three hundred and forty atmospheres! In size, the Nile crocodile practically does not differ from the saltwater crocodile.

Accordingly, it can be assumed that the strength of its bite is approximately in the same range as that of its marine counterpart. It should be noted that the Nile and saltwater crocodiles are interchangeable champions in terms of bite force, and their performance will vary quite markedly depending on how exactly the measurements were taken in the case of a particular crocodile. Nile crocodiles feed mostly on fish, but like their brethren, they tend to attack any animal that is careless enough to meet them on the way. Mostly zebras, and even birds and small hippos.

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They are able to gnaw through steel, eat huge crocodile or bite through the thick skin of a hippo... Let's look into the mouth 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 the lions. These incredibly beautiful and graceful cats are real killing machines. No one can feel at ease being near them. Lions attack even 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 don't have the most strong bite, but incredibly sharp fangs and incisors leave no chance for the victim ...

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 large teeth.

4. Another cat that can kill an animal much larger than itself, and then drag the carcass up a tree - a leopard.

5. In terms of bite strength, the leopard is the most strong 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 into two parts of a huge crocodile. The bite force of these fat men reaches 125 atmospheres.

7. There are legends about the power of the jaws of a crocodile. And not in vain. These cutest creatures have a bite force of 340 atmospheres and this is the highest among all African animals.

9. Hyenas easily gnaw through strong bones and are even able to gnaw through steel bars of cages.

10. The strength of a hyena bite, according to various sources, ranges from 70 to 90 atmospheres, but incredibly strong and sharp teeth give power to the bite.

Which animal do you think has the strongest bite? A lion? Hyena? Turtle? Or maybe someone smaller, like a piranha? The answer may surprise you. There is a famous saying that says: big fish eats small 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 world, where most animals survive using a wide range of tactics and evolutionary characteristics. As you may have guessed, bite strength is one of the 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. From the beautiful Siberian tiger to the fearsome polar bear, we bring you the 25 most powerful bites in the animal kingdom.

25. Killer whale, PSI: 19000 ~ unknown

24. Piranha, PSI: unknown

23. Leopard, PSI: 300-310

22. Tiger shark, PSI: 325

21. Hyena dog, PSI: 340

20. Puma, PSI: 350

19. Wolf, PSI: 406

18. Mastiff, PSI: 556

17. Great White Shark, PSI: 669

16. Lion, PSI: 691

15. Jaguar, PSI: 700

14. Brown bear, PSI: 850

13. Kodiak, PSI: 930

12. Amur tiger, PSI: 950

11. Cayman Tortoise, PSI: 1000

10. Bengal tiger, PSI: 1050

9. Hyena, PSI: 1100

8. Polar bear, PSI: 1235

7. Grizzly bear, PSI: 1250

6. Blunt shark, PSI: 1250

5. Gorilla, PSI: 1300

4. Hippo, PSI: 1821

3. Mississippi alligator, PSI: 2125

2. Nile crocodile, PSI: 5000

1. Salted crocodile, PSI: 7700