Great White Shark Bite Force? How Deadly Is A Great White's Bite?
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Let us familiarise ourselves with the marine life of a great white shark that resides in the deep, blue ocean.
Great white sharks happen to be the sole survivors of the genus Carcharodon. These shark species contribute to some of the most recorded shark bite cases.
It is interesting to learn that these giant animals are not known to be kept in captivity. The great whites are a challenge to be kept in captivity as they are seasonal migrators and have a great demand for food. These magnanimous animals are known to rip apart their prey with their strong teeth and jaws.
To give a perspective on their humungous size, let's talk about how they measure up. These animals can measure up to 20 ft (6.1 m ) in length and weigh a maximum of 5000 lb (2,268 kg).
These sea animals can live for as long as 70 years.
These giant marine animals can fathom a depth of 3900 ft (1200 m) under the sea, and they can gain a speed of 16 mph (25 km/h) in short bursts. Unfortunately, these shark species face a threat to their existence as they are categorized under the Vulnerable category by the IUCN Red List classification.
We have had loads of fun bringing these shark facts to you. If you wish to immerse yourself in an ocean of shark facts, check out our other interesting articles on the shark dorsal fin and shark symbolism here on Kidadl.
Strength Of A Great White's Bite
The great white shark can deliver a maximum bite force of 4000 PSI (18, 220 N) in one go. Isn't that a powerful bite to watch out for? The only animal species that comes close to this is the saltwater crocodile.
The saltwater crocodile is known to have an estimated bite force of 3700 psi (16,414 N ). Aren't these mind-boggling strengths for these marine animals? Let us fish out some more facts on these animals' bite force.
The powerful bites for a large animal like the great white shark are derived from its jaw strength and its 300 teeth organized in multiple rows. A shark's teeth have specific adaptations which help them to tear down their prey quite easily with powerful bites.
The teeth placed in the front rows of these sharks, in lines of two, are adapted to grab their prey and decimate the food intake. Also, the triangular shape of the teeth with rough edges helps in the bites being delivered with great force.
Great White Shark's Bite; Not So Strong
Now that we understand that great white sharks have fierce bites that stand out in the animal kingdom, shall we find out if great white sharks are the unbeatable species in the sphere of other marine animals' bite force? Let us unearth some interesting facts and figures about which animal has the strongest bite!
To compare the numbers, let's look at the bull shark bite force. The bull shark records a bite force of 1300 PSI (6000 N), attributed to its strong jaw muscles.
The bull shark, which dwells in freshwater habitats, is considered to deliver the most potent bite force amongst the shark species. The killer whale, though an understudied subject, is thought to have a bite force much stronger than saltwater crocodiles.
The killer whale has an estimated bite force of around 19000 PSI (131000 N), which is certainly higher than the great whites and a saltwater crocodile.
However, do you know which animal a white shark can beat with its bite force? It's an American alligator, which has a bite force of 2961 PSI (13172 N) as compared to the great whites at 4000 PSI (18, 220 N).
The Ancient Shark's Bite Which Is More Powerful Than A T. Rex's
The University of New South Wales, based in Australia, has used a lot of scientific methodologies to study the subject of the strongest bite force of all time in history. Let's dive into their findings here.
A fossil study on sharks species has enabled scientists to discover an extinct species called the Megalodon.
These animals had unmatchable power in their bite force and it was concluded in the studies that these giant, extinct animals could have had the strongest bite force ever known, which was between six and ten times more powerful than that of a great white shark.
At one point, T.Rexes were considered to have the strongest bite amongst any living animal. The T. Rex had a bite force of around 3.1 metric tons which is a great bite strength, but still, it failed to be the strongest bite of all. It's a dismal figure against the bite strength of the mighty Megalodon.
Bite Force Relative To Size
The study of large sharks and their bite force has been an area of immense interest for scientists. Studies have been done to compare the bite force vs. body mass among other animals like the saltwater crocodile, the American alligator, humpback whales, and even the polar bear. Read on to uncover more facts.
The bite force quotient is a numerical representation of the power of a bite force of an animal in comparison to its body mass. The bite force quotient helps in understanding the strength in the jaws of these fierce biting species of animals.
The Tasmanian devil has the highest bite force quotient among all carnivorous mammals. The number for the great white sharks is 164, and the highest number that has been noted is for a Nile crocodile at 440.
They attack animals with a side-to-side movement of their head and this causes a rip down their prey. Therefore, their ability to devour prey with the movement of their jaws inflicts more damage than their bite force overall.
Shark Bite Incidents
Did you know that out of the 480 species of sharks, three species (tiger sharks, great whites, and bull sharks), are responsible for the majority of the shark attack or shark biting incidents recorded in history? Let us learn more thrilling facts about this giant fish, its strong jaw, and its infamous flesh-biting incidents from known records.
The shark attacking unsuspected victims in the movies Jaws is an unforgettable scene for all movie buffs. So, how did shark-biting incidents gain their prominence as a movie subject? The great white sharks have the notoriety of being responsible for causing the most unprovoked attacks resulting in a fatality.
A notable incident where a great white attempted to attack a seven-member crew in a research vessel in South Africa was registered in 2011. The great white measured 9 ft (3 m) long and weighed a massive 1102 lb (500 kg).
Though there were no reports of biting incidents on this occasion, the shark's jaw bites caused extensive damage to pieces of equipment on the research vessel.
Relationship With Humans
Have you ever wondered if humans and sharks can be friends? Think again, for these animals from the deep, blue ocean are settled in their realms and do not seek any human company for their survival.
It will be reassuring to many to note that not all sharks species are aggressive in nature. Sharks do not tend to attack people at will or in an unprovoked state.
There are only three species, bull sharks, tiger sharks, and the great whites, that are infamous for their unprovoked human attacks. These three species are primarily responsible for the fear factor instilled by the term 'sharks' on human minds.
Shark sighting has gained popularity in some parts of the world where enthusiasts are taken for swimming along with some harmless species of sharks.
Professional divers are a significant source of information for researchers on the subject matter of sharks. Some studies have revealed that sharks have an inherent intelligence that allows them to communicate with their fellow members of species and with any human too.
In-depth exploration of this subject can lead to breaking many myths on sharks and establishing healthy contact with members of shark species for the benefit of humans and sharks together.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for great white shark bite force, then why not take a look at Mako shark speed or Great white shark facts.
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Master of Business Administration
Deepthi ReddyMaster of Business Administration
With an MBA under her belt, Deepthi has discovered her true calling in content writing. Her writing repertoire is diverse, covering travel, movies, pet care, parenting, animals and birds, and more. Her joy of learning and creating has helped her craft well-written and engaging articles. When she isn't writing, Deepthi enjoys exploring new cultures, trying different foods, and spending quality time with her two children aged 7 and 12.
Bachelor of Arts specializing in English
Shruti ThapaBachelor of Arts specializing in English
With a passion for American, British, and children's literature, Shruti is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree at Garden City University, Bengaluru. Her fluency in Nepali, Hindi, and Mandarin demonstrates her linguistic abilities and global perspective. In addition to her literary pursuits, she has a keen interest in non-fiction literature, aesthetics, early childhood education, and Egyptian history. Shruti's research paper 'Bringing Art Illustrations In Education And Pop Culture' showcases her proficiency in these areas and her dedication to academic excellence.
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