Strongest caniniform bite force for a crocodile

The crocodile with the strongest caniniform bite force (the bite force exerted by the caniniform – canine-like – teeth) recorded is the saltwater or estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), native to Australia and south-east Asia. In a comprehensive 2012 study of bite force in crocodilians, specimens of all 23 species of living crocodilian were utilized to obtain a range of bite force readings for each species. The strongest caniniform bite force recorded was 11,216 N, from a 4.59-m-long (15-ft) saltwater crocodile.

On account of its huge size and formidable bite strength, this species is an apex predator capable of successfully killing almost any animal that enters its territory, including humans, making it potentially very dangerous to people that share its distribution. Its powerful bite, capable of crushing an adult buffalo's skull, ensures that prey victims firmly seized by it rarely escape, and even if they do, they are usually severely injured.

The research was published on 14 March 2012 in PLOS ONE in a collaborative study by scientists from Florida State University, California State Polytechnic University, the University of Florida, St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park (all USA) and Charles Darwin University (Australia), led by Dr Gregory M Erickson of Florida State University.