The strongest bites in the animal kingdom

[Polar]

By Ursus Arctos on Carnivora, African Lion vs Eastern Gorilla Silverback:

Quote:"For unscaled models, the highest bite forces in Newtons (N) were obtained at the second molar from P. boisei (2161 N), followed by G. gorilla (1723 N), P. troglodytes (1511 N), H. sapiens (1109 N or 1317 N and see below), P. pygmaeus (1031 N), A. africanus (831 N) and H. lar (136 N).

We found that bite force was broadly proportional to body mass (as predicted using a method based on cranial data that provides body mass estimates most comparable to those generated on the basis of postcranial reconstructions (Aiello & Wood 1994)). Predicted body masses for the hominid specimens ranged from 30.6 kg for A. africanus to 127.5 kg for G. gorilla. The relationship between bite force and body mass showed slightly positive or near-positive allometry, depending on bite point (see electronic supplementary material, figure S5). Relative to predicted body masses, P. boisei (67 kg) generated the highest bite forces and G. gorilla the lowest."
The craniomandibular mechanics of being human


"FE simulation accounting for 3-D muscle architecture generated bite reaction forces at the caniform teeth of 2337 N (T. carnifex) and 2906 N (P. leo). Bite reaction forces at the carnassials were 2819 N (T. carnifex) and 5612 N (P. leo)."
Cranial mechanics compared in extinct marsupial and extant African lions using a finite-element approach

The lion in the above article was estimated to weigh 267 kg; I have discussed before how this is a gross overestimation; I will use the more realistic number of 210 kg instead.

The gorilla was a female estimated to weigh 127.5 kg. Scaling it up and assuming isometry, that leads to a molar force of 1723 * (210/127.5)^(2/3) = 2403 N.

The lion's carnassial force: 5612 N.

Note that, again, these animals might not really be giving up their all, but 5612 N is more than 1000-pounds if one converts it. Reply