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The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) has the highest bite force of any animal alive today. (Image credit: DianaLynne via Getty Images)

Tyrannosaurus rex and megalodon are repeat science fiction stars for a reason: Their bites were ferocious. But which extinct and living creatures actually exert the strongest bite force? 

Bite force, according to a study published in Frontiers (opens in new tab) , is the force that the muscles and bones of the upper and lower jaw generate when an animal bites. Animals with strong bite forces usually have no problem clamping down on struggling prey. Some predators are even able to break through prey with especially tough armor.

Of all the creatures alive today, the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) has the strongest known bite force, at 16,460 newtons (newtons measure force magnitude), a 2012 study in the journal PLOS One (opens in new tab) found. For comparison, 1 newton equals about a quarter pound of force. Whatever ends up in the jaws of a saltwater crocodile is subjected to extreme force during its dying gasps.

Paleobiologist Gregory M. Erickson measuring an alligator’s bite force. (Image credit: Photo by: Gregory M. Erickson via Florida State University)

There are two contenders that could challenge — and possibly beat — the croc, but their bite forces have not been measured in a live setting because these animals are aquatic predators. If confirmed, the strongest bite force could be that of the orca (Orcinus orca), estimated at 84,516 newtons by the Dutch Shark Society (opens in new tab) , distantly followed by the bite force of a great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), at about 18,000 newtons, according to computer models used in a 2008 study published in the Journal of Zoology (opens in new tab) .

Among extinct animals, the chomp of T. rex may have been king, at a killer 35,000 newtons (opens in new tab) when it stomped the Earth from about 68 million to 66 million years ago. The huge shark Megalodon (Otodus megalodon) terrorized the seas from 15 million to 3.6 million years ago with a bite force of up to 182,200  newtons (opens in new tab) . However, there are still questions about whether the shark could beat out the dinosaur. They’re difficult to pit against each other because shark and dinosaur jaws have different types and numbers of teeth, explained Jack Tseng (opens in new tab) , a biologist and assistant professor of integrative biology at the University of California, Berkeley.

Related: What is the toothiest animal on Earth?

Bite force can be measured directly or estimated indirectly. Living animals can bite down on a force gauge, which is how scientists measured the saltwater crocodile’s extreme bite. For living animals that scientists have not been able to test this way, such as orcas and sharks, bite force is based on what is known about their body structure, shape and the type of prey they hunt.

Extinct animals are trickier. Only the jaw bones remain in a skull, which is why researchers use computer simulations to recreate jaw muscles that have long since decomposed.Making of a killer bite

The Cretaceous dinosaur Tyrannosaurus rex has an estimated bite force of 35,000 newtons. (Image credit: Martin Shields via Alamy Stock Photo)

What goes into a crushing bite? Multiple characteristics — including head and jaw strength — play roles. Teeth are also a weapon. T. rex’s head alone had bone-crushing power, but it also had serrated knife-like teeth. However, there is one factor that dominates all others, if you ask Daniel Huber (opens in new tab) , a professor and chair of environmental studies at The University of Tampa in Florida. 

“[Body] size is the single most important factor in determining bite force,” Huber told Live Science in an email. 

Huber has found that a predator’s size overwhelms everything else, including head width to the armor-like toughness of prey. The jaw adductor muscles, which are responsible for closing the jawbones, are crucial. “The sizes and positions of those adductors can be evolutionarily tweaked to maximize the amount of muscle force that can be transmitted into bite force,” he told Live Science in an email. 

The iconic T. rex presumably had powerful jaws, according to computer simulations of the dinosaur king (opens in new tab) . When factoring in the sharpness of its teeth, estimates of the dino’s bite force skyrocket, Huber said. But part of that total force comes from not just bite force but also the extra bite pressure exerted by those sharp teeth.Related mysteries—Which animal has the stretchiest mouth?

—Why do wisdom teeth come in so late?

—Why did T. rex have such tiny arms?

“In general, the sharper the tooth tip, the higher the potential bite force given the same input muscle force, because any such force would be concentrated at the tip of a tooth,” Tseng added.

Not all animals with a huge bite force are enormous and toothy. Some aren’t even predators. The Galapagos large ground finch (Geospiza magnirostris) has the most intense bite force for its size, according to a 2019 study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B (opens in new tab) . This bird weighs only about 1 ounce (33 grams), but its beak can crack tough nuts and seeds with a force of 70 newtons, meaning it has the most powerful bite force for its body size, according to the study. That gives the finch 320 times the biting power of T. rex. 

How do humans compare? The hardest bite our species can manage is around 1,000 newtons, so we’re not even in the same league.

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From Coinbase to Milei and LIBRA: Crypto class-action suits pile up

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From Coinbase to Milei and LIBRA: Crypto class-action suits pile up

From Coinbase to Milei and LIBRA: Crypto class-action suits pile up

Class-action lawsuits against crypto-related firms are building up, with cases facing major firms such as Bakkt and Coinbase.

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Philippines SEC cracks down on unregistered crypto exchanges

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Philippines SEC cracks down on unregistered crypto exchanges

Philippines SEC cracks down on unregistered crypto exchanges

The Philippines SEC flagged OKX, Bybit, KuCoin and others for offering crypto services without authorization, warning of enforcement and app store bans.

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Stark VARG MX 1.2 launched as smarter, stronger, and absurdly powerful electric motocross bike

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Stark VARG MX 1.2 launched as smarter, stronger, and absurdly powerful electric motocross bike

Electric motocross just got another serious upgrade. Stark Future has unveiled its latest evolution of the VARG MX platform – meet the VARG MX 1.2. With more powertrain efficiency, longer range, and a tech-infused new onboard computer that moonlights as a military-grade Android phone, this bike is maintaining the Stark VARG playbook of doing more than keeping up with gas-powered competition, it’s burying them.

Stark Future is flying high, both literally with impressive performance that has helped riders to expand their options so aggressively that it’s gotten itself banned from the X-Games, to proverbially with the company already touting profitability so early in its operations.

At the heart of the VARG MX 1.2 is the same 80 hp (60 kW) electric motor that made the original VARG such a monster on the dirt, easily outgunning traditional 450cc gas bikes. But this time around, riders get even more customization. The power output can be adjusted anywhere from 10 to 80 hp (7.5-60 kW) on the fly, with refined control over the power curve and motor braking. Basically, it’s like having a garage full of bikes in one, and all of them are really impressive!

Helping riders tap into all that performance is a new handlebar-mounted smart device called the Arkenstone. This isn’t your average LCD screen, it’s a full-fledged, ruggedized Android smartphone that connects wirelessly to the bike. Want to change power modes mid-lap? Done. Want to track your lap times and get real-time GPS data? Also done. Stark even partnered with a major map provider to make sure the new “Laps” feature delivers real course splits and terrain data without the need for external apps or gear.

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And of course, performance is still king here. The new 7.2 kWh battery tucked into a lightweight magnesium honeycomb case delivers up to 20% more range than before. That means longer rides, harder pushes, and fewer recharge breaks. Oh, and it still puts out 973 Nm of torque at the rear wheel. Not a typo. That’s insane torque.

The updated chassis is no slouch either. Stark redesigned the frame using a stronger, lighter steel alloy, shaving off nearly a kilogram while improving flex and feedback. Suspension was also retuned with KYB components offering 310mm of travel and selectable spring rates based on rider weight – a level of adjustability that’s unheard of from most OEMs.

Motocross legend Kevin Windham, after testing the bike, didn’t hold back: “I’ve ridden everything there is to ride, and this is the future.” He praised the natural feel, instantaneous response, and how quickly it felt like home, even after decades on gas bikes.

But the VARG MX 1.2 isn’t just a lab project. It’s been relentlessly race-tested under the leadership of two-time World Champion Sébastien Tortelli, who now heads up Stark’s racing program. “Racing is where weaknesses show and strengths are proven,” says Tortelli. “Every race, every rider, every condition feeds into what we build.”

Other upgrades include a new overmolded wiring harness for extreme durability, a lighter and more efficient gearbox, new tires (Dunlop or Pirelli, your call), and even a reinforced skid plate made from biodegradable materials. Optional titanium hardware can shave off another 900 grams if you’re counting grams like trophies.

Maintenance? Practically nonexistent. With no pistons, clutches, or filters to fuss over, Stark says its riders can save up to $5,000 over 100 hours of use compared to a traditional gas bike. And in an industry notorious for limited warranties, Stark is backing the entire bike for two years.

Those cost savings are going to be important considering that electric motorcycles usually have higher up-front sticker shock. But with the new Stark, pricing is surprisingly competitive for something this high-end.

The 60 hp (45 kW) standard model starts at US $12,490, while the full-fat 80 hp (60 kW) Alpha comes in at $13,490 (plus a $1,000 tariff charge for US buyers). Bikes are available now through Stark’s global dealer network or directly from the company’s site.

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