Tigers are among the most popular animals on Earth, renowned for their majesty and power. They rightfully inspire fear in animals and humans who may encounter them. The strength of a tiger is utterly incomparable to that of a human. Considering that tigers are among the strongest animals in the animal kingdom, these large felines face virtually no competition they cannot overcome.
But how do they compare to humans and other animals?
Tiger bite force: Anatomy of the jaw
A wild Bengal tiger lies on the grass yawning.
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). In comparison, the average human bite force is only around 120-160 PSI. Therefore, a tiger's bite force is nearly ten times that of a human!
To achieve a powerful bite, tigers must have a suitable jaw (and skull). The muscles of the jaw attach to the sagittal crest at the top of the skull. This attachment provides greater power and grip during a bite. In contrast, the human jaw is connected to a muscle called the temporalis muscle, which extends only across one side of the head above the jaw.
The speed at which a tiger's jaw closes to its prey generates a squeezing force capable of breaking bones. The tiger's powerful jaw, combined with the longest canines among felines, is a truly threatening work of art. Combine all that jaw power with the 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 bit 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, around 650 PSI, but an adult male's bite force can reach 1,000 PSI. On the other hand, a jaguar's bite force is around 1,500 PSI, surpassing both tigers and lions.
Non-feline mammals
Silverback gorilla pounding its chest
The bite force of a silverback gorilla is more than 100 PSI greater than that of a tiger.
Now, what about non-feline animals? Gorillas have an impressive bite force, with some silverbacks reaching 1,300 PSI. This is likely because their diet consists primarily of very tough, fibrous plants. As they are herbivores, they may not possess the tearing or gripping power of carnivores.
Hippos are among the most threatening herbivores when it comes to their bite. With a bite force of 1,820 PSI, they possess the strongest bite of any land animal. Their massive heads and powerful jaws contribute to the strength that earns them such a prestigious title.
Aquatic animals
Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)
The force of their bites, combined with their death rolls, makes encounters with these creatures a nightmare.
Unfortunately, tigers don't seem to be able to compete with aquatic animals. The animal with the strongest bite force in the animal kingdom is the saltwater crocodile. The strongest recorded live bite force reached a crazy measurement of 3,700 PSI. The crocodile specimen that set this record was 17 feet long. This record does take into account the size and proportion of the bite force. Therefore, other animals may have higher bite forces, but when you consider several other factors, it may not be possible to reach the bite force of a saltwater crocodile.
Bull sharks are also high on the list, with a bite force of approximately 1,350 PSI. Compared to the great white shark, which can reach 4,000 PSI, you might consider yourself lucky if you were bitten by a bull shark. However, the bite force of a great white shark varies greatly depending on the size of the animal. 4,000 PSI is the maximum force this marine behemoth can generate.
Another top marine predator 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 over 13,000 pounds. For such large predators, the prey they hunt can satisfy their appetite and energy needs. Therefore, it makes sense that they possess an extremely powerful bite.
How much can a tiger carry?
Since tigers don't use their claws to carry things, they must rely on their jaws to carry their prey. On average, a tiger can carry a weight equivalent to twice its own body weight. In the case of a Bengal tiger, carrying prey weighing around 1,000 pounds is not impossible.
An average person should be able to lift about a quarter of their body weight without difficulty, but reaching half their weight would significantly increase the chances of fatigue or injury. Unless trained and extremely healthy, it's practically impossible to even double one's weight. For example, a 200-pound man should be able to easily lift 50 pounds. 100 pounds should also be acceptable. 400 pounds might be impossible, especially if he were to drag it with his teeth like a tiger!
Summary of bite force
| animal | Biting force (PSI) |
|---|---|
| Orca | 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 |
| Humans | 120-160 |
