Putting the Bite on Prey

What living creature has the most powerful bite ever measured?

02-01-2004 // Roger Di SIlvestro

A study involving more than 40 captive alligators indicates that these big crocodilians are capable of the most powerful bite ever measured on a live animal. One 12-foot captive gator bit with a force of more than 2,100 pounds. Compare that to:

  • Labrador dog–125 pounds
  • Dusky shark–330 pounds
  • Small, two-legged meat-eating dinosaur–estimated 450 pounds
  • African lion–940 pounds
  • Hyena–1,000 pounds
  • Tyrannosaurus rex–estimated 3,300 pounds
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