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The king of the jungle is the lion, but hippos take the throne for the king of the waters in Africa! With huge cheeks and chubby bodies, some may see them as cute, but hippos are one of Africa’s most ferocious animals. But with their incredible size and massive tusks, you might be wondering just how strong a hippo’s bite force is. Let’s dig!
How big are hippos?
Hippopotamus belongs to the family Hippopotamidae, the only other member of which is the pygmy hippopotamus. The common hippopotamus is the third largest land animal in the world, with some weighing up to 6,000 lbs (and just wait for the biggest hippo weight ever we’ll describe shortly)! The elephant is the largest land animal and some species Rhino, like the white rhinoceros can grow larger than the common hippo.
Miniature hippos are much smaller, weighing only up to 600 lbs, and looking like a miniature hippopotamus. Aggressive and territorial, they will not hesitate to bite and show off their large teeth when threatened.
Hippos are native to the Sub-Saharan region of Africa and able to move quickly over land or water. Hippo Translate to River horse in Greek. They spend most of their time underwater to avoid the scorching sun. as herbivores, they feed on grass and other vegetation near water banks.
Hippos also have one of the strongest bite forces in the animal kingdom and the largest mouth of any living land mammal. As one of nature’s most dangerous and powerful forces, let’s take a look at a hippo’s bite force.
How strong is a bite from a hippo?
Hippos can produce about 1,800 psi (8,100 Newtons) with their bite. In theory, they have a bite strong enough to break a crocodile in half if necessary. Compared to other land animals, hippos have the strongest bite of all. The largest male hippopotamus ever recorded lived in captivity in Germany and weighed 9,900 pounds (4,500) kilograms. This giant hippo reached a length of 16 feeds. The bigger the hippo, the stronger the bite force, so you can imagine how powerful this hippo’s bite would have been!
Pygmy hippos are much smaller and produce a less powerful bite. There are no studies to date specifically focused on studying the bite of the pygmy hippo, but they are very similar to the common hippo. They have a similar skeleton, body shape and skull. Pygmy hippos are about ¼ smaller than the common hippos. Pygmy hippos are similar to common hippos and their bite is strong but scales to a smaller size.
Hippos vs Crocodiles
The saltwater crocodile, and nile crocodile both have greater bite forces than the hippopotamus, peaking at about 3,700 psi, although a bite force of up to 5,000 psi (~16,000 Newtons) could be possible in the largest crocodile specimens. Crocodiles have the strongest bite force in the worldSo how can a hippo compete? Even with a less powerful bite force, the size of their bodies and mouths make the hippopotamus the dominant animal. Hippos are territorial and fit the body of a crocodile in their mouth.
Crocodiles attacking a hippo is a death sentence as they are much smaller with smaller mouths. Hippos have thick skin and often live in groups called schools, bloats, or pods, which have about 10 to 30 members.
How is a hippo’s bite force measured?
Even with its large mouth, catching a hippo’s bite force can be quite a challenge. Hippos are extremely aggressive and will attack to attack enemies, putting whoever measures their bite into immediate danger. Male hippos have not been tested because they are too aggressive and dangerous.
Zoologists use a device on the end of a stick to measure the force a hippo produces when it bites. As simple as it sounds, it can be quite difficult to get a clean reading and stay out of danger. Female hippos, which are less aggressive, have been able to be tested and give us an idea of how powerful this animal’s jaws are.
How big is a hippo’s mouth?
Hippos’ mouths are their most notable feature and are about 2 feet wide, equipped with 36 teeth. They are able to open their jaws 150 degrees making their mouths about 4 to 5 feet wide when fully open.
Hippos have large tusks on each jaw, as well as canines and incisors. Their teeth can grow up to 3 feet long and their canines are a source of ivory. Hippos have fallen victim to poaching and hunting because of the ivory in their mouths.
What do hippos use their powerful bites for?
What does a hippo use its powerful bite for? As herbivores, they mainly feed on grass, fruit and other vegetation, using their back molars to grind food. When their molars are worn out, they can no longer eat and will eventually perish.
Hippos have a lifespan of about 40 to 50 years. Eating hippos 60 pounds of food per day and will travel up to 6 miles to find food. At night they travel most to forage for food, avoiding the sun.
Defense is the primary use for their powerful bite. Large teeth and powerful jaws help defend against the various apex predators in Africa like crocodiles, lions, and even people. Their aggressive nature, strength and unpredictability make them one of the most dangerous animals in the world Africa and the world.
A bite f
rom a hippo can crush a human instantly, and it is approximately 500 people are estimated to be killed every year by hippos. These extremely aggressive animals are known to attack humans and even their own boy. Tourists or locals who wander too close have been known to be attacked and killed.
Even as herbivores, hippos are deadly and have one of the world’s deadliest bites. Their large mouths, size and aggressive nature make them one of the world’s deadliest animals.
Still, they are vulnerable to danger and have seen a massive decline over the years, affecting about 7 to 20% of the population. Poaching and habitat loss were the main factors. Conserving these animals and learning how dangerous they are are the best ways to protect ourselves and the hippos in the wild.
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