Do humans have the strongest bite?

Contrary to popular belief, scientists claim to have found evidence that the lightly built human skull has a far more efficient bite than those of the chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans.

The surprise findings, by an international team, have suggested that early modern humans did not necessarily need to use tools and cooking to process high-nutrient hard foods such as nuts -- and perhaps less tough foods such as meat -- but may have lost an ability to eat very tough items.

In their study, the scientists found modern humans can achieve relatively high bite forces using less-powerful jaw muscles. In short, the human skull doesn’t have to be as robust because, for any given bite force, the sum of forces acting on the human skull is much less.

The study, published in the ‘Proceedings of the Royal Society B’ journal, led by Stephen Wroe of University of New South Wales, used sophisticated three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis to compare digital models of actual skulls that had been CAT-scanned.

These result calls into question previous suggestions that the evolution of a less robust skull in modern humans involved a trade-off for a weaker bite or was necessarily a response to behavioural changes, such as switching to softer foods or more processing of foods with tools and cooking.

It has also been suggested that human jaw muscles were reduced to make way for a larger brain.

“However plausible those ideas may seem they have been based on very little by way of comparative data: for example, there are no actual records of bite force collected from living members of any other ape species.

“It turns out that we don’t have a wimpish bite at all -- it’s very efficient and powerful. When we’re biting down in vertical plane, at the back of the jaw our bite is about 40 to 50 per cent more efficient than it is for all great apes. It’s even more efficient when biting at the front of the jaw.

“We’ve only looked at two extinct hominins in this study, but, for our size, we humans are comparable in terms of maximum bite force to these fossil species, which include ’nutcracker man’, renowned for its particularly massive skull and jaw muscles. Size matters, but efficiency matters more -- and humans are very efficient biters.

“Importantly though, our study focuses on the generation of peak bite forces over short time spans. The jaws of other species may be better adapted to maintain chewing over long periods.

“This means that although humans are up there with great apes in their ability to quickly crack open a hard item, such as a large nut, or process less tough foods, such as meat, they may be less well adapted to process tough material, such as leaves or bamboo, which requires sustained chewing over a long period,” Dr Wroe said.

The human bite force is only strong as 162 PSI whereas some of the strongest animal bite force is in the 1000s PSI.

Many people might not know that humans are not the most powerful animal to bite. Although humans are dangerous to other animals, their bite is not necessarily their strongest weapon.

While there have been various debates on the strongest bite force, this article will tell you who has the strongest bite force and how they compare with humans.

What is a Bite Force?

A bite force is a force exerted by an animal’s jaws during a bite. Bite forces are often measured using a bite force sensor, which is an instrument that measures pressure. Generally, animals with bigger jaws have stronger bite forces.

The largest terrestrial carnivores, on average, have the strongest bites. In order of increasing bite force, these are large cats, bears, and canines.

Prey size may be another factor considered when comparing bite forces between species; larger species often feed on larger prey and thus may need a stronger jaw than smaller species feeding on smaller prey.

10. Hyena

Many sources say that hyenas have the strongest bite force of any land animal. This is because they have a powerful set of jaw muscles and can clamp down with up to 1,100psi (pounds per square inch).

However, some studies show that humans have a stronger bite force than hyenas. Although it’s tough to compare animals to each other, one study found humans had a bit force of 162psi. This is very low in comparison with hyenas.

9. Grizzly Bear

One of the more powerful animals in the world is the grizzly bear. It is not surprising that they can inflict a lot of damage to humans.

They have long claws and sharp teeth. Their bite force is about 1,160 pounds per square inch, which is more than a human’s bite force of 162 pounds per square inch.

8. Polar Bear

With strong jaws and sharp teeth, polar bears can bite with a force of up to 1,200psi. This is more than the bite force of an average human, so if you see one coming your way, you might want to stay away.

Despite their strength, polar bears are not usually aggressive. They only attack humans if they feel threatened.

7. Gorilla

The gorilla has a bite force of around 1,300 pounds per square inch. In contrast, the human bite force is only around 162 pounds per square inch.

This is because gorillas have a much stronger jaw and more teeth than humans.

6. Bull Shark

Bull Sharks have a bite force of 1,350psi as compared to 162psi for humans. This is because bull sharks have enormous, powerful jaws and sharp teeth that can tear through flesh with ease.

They are also one of the few species of sharks that can survive in both salt and fresh water, which allows them to sneak up on unsuspecting prey.

5. Jaguar

Jaguars are the third-largest cats in the world, after tigers and lions. The average weight of a male jaguar is 200 pounds, and the average weight of a female jaguar is 125 pounds. Jaguars have a bite force of almost 1,500psi.

The Jaguar’s jaw can open wider than any other big cat, including lions and tigers. This allows them to eat prey animals that are larger than their own head.

Jaguars also have flexible necks that allow them to reach around into tight spaces and attack prey from behind.

These adaptations help Jaguars hunt large prey like deer and tapirs that they would not be able to catch otherwise.

4. Hippopotamus

A hippopotamus can bite with more than 1,800psi. This is stronger than an African elephant and a lion. A human’s bite strength is more like 162psi.

The reason for this huge difference in strength is because of the shape and composition of a hippopotamus tooth.

Hippo teeth are similar to those found on alligators and crocodiles, which have serrated edges that can cut through flesh with ease.

Human teeth, on the other hand, are not serrated and lack this type of cutting edge. Another reason for this large discrepancy in biting power is because humans have narrower jaw muscles than hippos which gives them less power on the bite.

3. American Alligator

The American Alligator is a fearsome creature that can grow up to 14 feet long. The average American Alligator has a bite force of 2,125psi.

That is over 13 times as much as the average human, with a bite force of 162psi.

2. Saltwater Crocodile

The saltwater crocodile is an animal with a powerful bite force. The average human bite force is 162 pounds per square inch, while the crocodile’s average bite force is over 3,700 pounds per square inch.

The crocodile’s teeth are also much sharper than humans.

The crocodile’s bite force is so powerful that it can bite through bone. They are known to eat small animals like wild pigs and antelopes that weigh more than they do.

They bite these animals with their mouths closed and drag them into the water, where they drown them.

1. Nile Crocodile

Nile Crocodiles may not be the most terrifying animal in the world, but they are still an animal worth respecting. Their bite force is much heavier than that of humans.

The Nile Crocodile can exert pressure of up to 5,000 pounds per square inch with its jaws. That’s almost 4800 pounds more than your average human bite pressure of 162 pounds per square inch.

Final Thougts

Humans have a bite force of about 162 pounds per square inch, which, although pretty high, is lower than most ferocious animals. Other animals also have sharper and more teeth, making their bite lethal.

Humans should respect their surroundings and not challenge these wild forces. Although most humans would not come across most of these animals in their lifetime, they should keep their distance to avoid getting killed if confronted with any of these.

Is the human bite the strongest bite?

Is a human bite stronger than an animal bite?

What animals do humans have a stronger bite force than?

Why are human bites so strong?