When it comes to the predators of the African savanna, lions and hyenas are both known for their powerful jaws and tendency to hunt large prey. But when it comes to bite strength, which of these two carnivores packs a more powerful punch?
The Mechanics of Bite Strength
Bite strength refers to the amount of force an animal can produce when biting down. There are a few key factors that contribute to overall bite strength:
- Jaw muscle mass – Animals with larger, stronger jaw muscles can generate more biting force.
- Gape size – A wider gape allows an animal to open its jaws wider and get a better grip on prey.
- Tooth and jaw structure – Sharper teeth concentrated on a narrower jaw produce more pressure per square inch.
- Head and neck size – A larger head and neck allow for larger jaw muscle attachment.
When estimating bite strength, scientists often use the measurement psi, or pounds per square inch. This quantifies the amount of pressure exerted over a one square inch surface area.
Lion Bite Strength
Lions are legendary for their strength, and their powerful jaws are central to their hunting abilities. Here are some key facts about lion bite strength:
- Lions have a gape size of about 4 inches (10 cm). This allows them to open their jaws wide to get a firm grip on large prey animals.
- Male lions have a bite force of around 600 psi. Females average around 400 psi.
- A lion’s canine teeth can grow up to 4 inches (10 cm) long and are conical in shape, designed for seizing and gripping.
- Lions have incredibly powerful jaw muscles, including the temporalis muscle that allows them to close their jaws with tremendous force.
- Because lions often hunt large prey like buffalo and wildebeest, their bites need to be strong enough to bite through thick hide and neck bones.
So in summary, male lion bites can exert over 600 psi of pressure, allowing them to take down prey over twice their size. Their jaws are optimized for biting and gripping large, struggling animals.
Hyena Bite Strength
Hyenas are also equipped with immensely strong jaws. Here’s how their bite strength compares to lions:
- Hyenas have an even wider gape size than lions, capable of opening their jaws over 5 inches (12 cm).
- Studies have measured hyena bite force at over 1100 psi, nearly double a lion’s bite force.
- Their massive premolars and powerful neck muscles allow them to crack open thick bones.
- Hyenas have one of the strongest bite forces of any land mammal. Their jaws have evolved to chomp through tough hide and crush bone.
- This extreme bite force allows them to consume bones and even extract nutrients from them, an ability unique among African predators.
In tests of bite force quotients (measurement of bite force relative to body size), hyenas scored nearly twice as high as lions. So pound for pound, hyena bites are stronger.
Comparison of Bite Strength
This table summarizes and compares some key measurements related to lion and hyena bite strength:
| Measurement | Lion | Hyena |
|---|---|---|
| Bite Force (psi) | 600 | 1100 |
| Gape Size (inches) | 4 | 5 |
| Bite Force Quotient | 100 | 190 |
As the table shows, hyena bites measure nearly double the strength of lion bites in both absolute psi and relative bite force quotients. Their massive jaws and skull muscles give them the strongest bite of any African predator.
Why Such Powerful Bites?
So why did hyenas evolve such incredibly powerful jaws? There are a few key advantages conferred by their bone-crushing bites:
- Scavenging ability – Hyenas can splinter and consume bones left behind by other predators, accessing the nutritious marrow inside.
- Hunting large prey – Their strong jaws allow them to take down prey like wildebeest, zebra, and buffalo more easily.
- Intraspecific competition – Hyenas often compete over carcasses. Powerful jaws help them defend food resources.
- Mating competition – Male hyenas will attack each other during mating disputes. Stronger bites likely help them win these confrontations.
So while lions also have strong bite forces, hyena jaws have evolved to be larger and more powerful, enabling them to crack open bone, scavenge effectively, and dominate intra-species battles.
Jaw Strength in Other Animals
Hyenas and lions sit near the top when it comes to bite strength among mammals. But some other animals are estimated to have even more powerful bites:
- Saltwater crocodiles – Bite force estimated over 3,700 psi
- Hippopotamuses – Bite force estimated over 1,800 psi
- American alligator – Bite force estimated over 2,000 psi
- Gorillas – Bite force estimated over 1,300 psi
These animals have all evolved incredible jaw strength for hunting, competition, and resource acquisition in their respective habitats and niches. But hyenas still come out on top when comparing African predators.
Conclusion
Based on recorded bite force measurements and tests, hyena jaws are conclusively stronger than lion jaws. Their massive skulls and muscles generate enough force to crush thick bones and outmatch any other African carnivore. So while lions have incredibly powerful bites adapted for taking down large prey, hyena bites take the prize as the strongest among Africa’s big carnivores.