Tigers are one of the most beloved animals on earth, known for their majesty and strength. Tigers rightfully strike fear into the minds of animals and humans who may encounter them. The power of tigers is completely incomparable to that of humans. Considering tigers are among the strongest animals in the animal kingdom, these big cats have little competition they can't overcome.
But how do they really compare to humans and other animals?
Tiger bite force: the anatomy of the jaw
Wild Bengal tiger yawning while lying on the grass.
Adult tigers have a total of 30 teeth, two fewer than humans, although their teeth are very different from ours.
A Bengal tiger's bite force can reach or exceed 1,050 PSI (pounds per square inch). To put that in perspective, the average human bite force is only around 120-160 PSI. Therefore, the bite force of a tiger is nearly ten times that of a human!
To achieve a powerful bite, a tiger must have the right jaw (and skull). The muscles of the jaw attach to the sagittal crest at the top of the skull. This attachment provides more power and grip when biting. In contrast, the human jaw is connected to a muscle called the temporalis muscle, which extends across only one side of the head above the chin.
The speed with which a tiger's jaws close on prey also creates squeezing forces that can break bones. A tiger's powerful jaws, combined with the longest canine teeth of any cat, make for the most menacing work of art. Combine all the power of the jaws with the razor-sharp claws, agility and strength on the back of a 500-pound, 10-foot-long Bengal tiger, and you'll understand why some cultures consider the tiger the king of all animals.
Tigers vs.
Comparing tigers to humans might be a little unfair, but that doesn't mean tigers aren't impressive compared to their peers. A lion's bite force is about half that of a tiger's, about 650, but an adult male's bite force may reach 1,000 PSI. Jaguars, on the other hand, have a bite strength of about 1,500 PSI, beating out tigers and lions.
non-feline mammals
Silverback gorilla beats its chest
The bite force of a silverback gorilla is over 100 PSI greater than that of a tiger.
Now, what about non-felines? The bite force of gorillas is impressive, with some silverbacks achieving a bite force of 1,300 PSI. This may be because their diet consists mainly of very hard, fibrous plants. Since they are herbivores, they may not have the tearing or grasping strength of carnivores.
Hippos are other herbivores with threatening bites. Their bite force is 1,820 PSI, the strongest of any land animal. Their huge heads and strong jaws help generate the strength that earns them such lofty titles.
aquatic animals
Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)
The force of their bite coupled with their death roll makes any encounter with these creatures a nightmare.
Unfortunately, tigers can't seem to compete with aquatic animals. The animal with the strongest bite in the animal kingdom is the saltwater crocodile. The strongest bite pressure ever recorded in a living person measured an insane 3,700 PSI. The crocodile specimen that set the record was 17 feet long. The record does take into account the magnitude and proportion of the bite force ratio. So, other animals have a higher bite force, but when you consider some other factors, it may not reach the bite force of a saltwater crocodile.
Bull sharks are also high on the list, with a bite force of about 1,350 PSI. If you were bitten by a bull shark, you might consider yourself lucky, compared to the great white shark, which can reach 4,000 PSI. However, the bite force of a great white shark varies greatly depending on the size of the animal. 4,000 PSI is the maximum power this ocean beast can produce.
Another apex predator of the ocean is the orca, whose bite can generate up to 19,000 PSI of pressure! They can reach lengths of up to 27 feet and weigh more than 13,000 pounds. For such a large predator, they eat prey that satisfies their appetite and energy needs. So it makes sense that they have an extremely powerful bite.
How much can a tiger carry?
Since tigers don't use their paws to carry things, they must rely on their jaws to carry their catch. On average, a tiger can carry twice its body weight. In the case of a Bengal tiger, it is not impossible for it to carry around 1,000 pounds of prey.
The average person should be able to carry a quarter of their body weight without difficulty, but reaching half their body weight greatly increases the chance of fatigue or injury. Unless you are trained and very fit, it is not even possible to double your body weight. For example, a 200-pound male should be able to easily carry 50 pounds. 100 pounds should also be acceptable. 400 pounds is probably out of the question, especially if he's dragging it with his teeth like a tiger!
| animal | Bite force (PSI) |
|---|---|
| Killer Whale | 19,000 |
| great white shark | 4,000 |
| saltwater crocodile | 3,700 |
| hippo | 1,820 |
| Jaguar | 1,500 people |
| bull shark | 1,350 people |
| silverback gorilla | 1,300 |
| tiger | 1,050 people |
| Lion | 650-1,000 |
| Humanity | 120-160 |
animal tags： tiger
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