Record #00370Nature archive
Strongest Laboratory-Measured Bite Force of a Living Animal
A 4.59-metre saltwater crocodile registered a molariform bite force of 16,414 newtons in a 2012 scientific study, the largest directly measured laboratory bite force for a living animal.
ARCHIVE VISUAL / 01
NOT TO SCALE
Current Record
16,414N
Current record value
- Holder
- Saltwater crocodile
- Location
- —
- Start date
- —
- Record status
- VerifiedView verification details ↗Report an issue
Overview
Archive NoteResearchers surveyed all 23 extant crocodilian species, relating jaw anatomy, body size and force generated during biting.
The 16,414-N reading came from the molariform tooth position of one 4.59-metre specimen, not the species-wide mean. Caniniform measurements from the same study are a separate metric.
Record history
1 Milestones- 16,414 NSaltwater crocodileCurrent Record
Sources
Evidence & ReferencesVerification basis and limitations
VerifiedThe record conclusion has sufficient verification support.
Basis: direct confirmation by an authority
Original Guinness records identify the comparative record holder and value while distinguishing measurement limits and prior records.
- Verification assessment
- 2026-11-05
- Last editorial review
- 2026-11-05
Current Entry identifies the current entry in this archive; it does not establish that the record is still held today.
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