Student Article

The bite force of an animal depends on its jaw muscles, jawbone, and teeth. Bite force is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). Here are the top 10 animals with the strongest bites:

10. Hyena (1,100 PSI)

Hyenas have strong jaws and teeth that can crush bones. They use their bite to grind down bones and get to the tasty marrow inside. Hyenas have special teeth called premolars that are perfect for breaking and crushing bones.

9. Grizzly Bear (1,160 PSI)

Grizzly bears have powerful bites to break bones and eat meat. They use their bite to rip into animal flesh and break the bones of large prey. Grizzly bears are very strong and have sharp claws, making them dangerous predators.

8. Polar Bear (1,200 PSI)

Polar bears use their strong bites to eat seals and other Arctic animals. They have large canine teeth that can grow up to 2 inches (5 cm) long. Polar bears are the only bear species considered marine mammals because they spend so much time in the water.

7. Gorilla (1,300 PSI)

Gorillas have strong jaws to chew hard branches and bark. Despite their powerful bite, gorillas are mostly vegetarian. They use their bite to strip bark from trees and chew tough plant material.

6. Bull Shark (1,350 PSI)

Bull sharks have many teeth and a strong bite to eat various prey. They have up to 350 teeth at any one time, and their teeth are constantly replaced. Bull sharks can grow up to 50,000 teeth in their lifetime!

5. Jaguar (1,500 PSI)

Jaguars have powerful bites to crush bones and eat tough prey. They can bite through the armored skin of crocodiles and the shells of turtles and tortoises. Jaguars are opportunistic hunters and will prey on almost anything.

4. Hippopotamus (1,800 PSI)

Hippos have large mouths and teeth to defend themselves. They have the largest mouth and teeth of any land mammal. A hippo's canine teeth can grow up to 30 inches (71 cm) long and are continually growing.

3. American Alligator (2,125 PSI)

Alligators have strong bites to catch and eat prey. They are opportunistic predators and will eat anything they can catch, including snakes, fish, turtles, mammals, and even insects. An alligator's bite is strong enough to lift a small truck!

2. Saltwater Crocodile (3,700 PSI)

Saltwater crocodiles have powerful bites to hold onto prey. They are the largest living reptiles and can grow up to 23 feet (7 meters) long. Saltwater crocodiles use a technique called the "death roll" to tear apart their prey.

1. Nile Crocodile (5,000 PSI)

Nile crocodiles have the strongest bite to crush and eat their prey. They are aggressive and territorial, and will take down any prey that comes near the water. Nile crocodiles mainly eat fish but will also eat other animals.

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