Wild Animals/Animal Bite Force

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Expert: Jonathan Wright - 7/1/2009


Question
Hi!
Is there any relationship between bite strength and hunting style (ambush predators vs. chase predators)? I would think ambush predators would have a stronger bite force but that is just a guess.  What do you think?  Are you aware of any research that has ever been done to determine a correlation?
Also could you please tell me a little about evolutionary adaptations to an ambush predatory hunting style, vs. active hunting, and also vs. scavenging?

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Answer
Dear Jamie

Thank you for your question. I also wish to thank the authors of the websites I used.

I think that the main correlation is between bite force and feeding strategy. Animals with large bite forces tend to be those that crunch through bone, shells or large nuts and seeds. This may be linked to ambush, where a predator bites through the shell or bone to kill prey. This applies to animals like the jaguar that can break open turtle shells.

A strong bite force also applies to scavengers, which can crunch up large bones and to parrots and other birds that use their beaks to break open nuts. Please note that an animal with a soft diet does not need a large bite force. Also, there are limits to bite force. If an animal applies too much pressure, it could lose teeth or break its jaw, adversely affecting future feeding and perhaps leading to an early demise.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/04/0405_050405_marsupialjaws.html has information about the marsupial lion. There has been controversy about whether this animal used its powerful bite to break open tough vegetation or to crunch bones. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/11/061129094125.htm has information about Dunkleosteus.

I hope this helps.

All the best

Jonathan

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Jonathan Wright

Expertise

I can answer questions about wild mammals and other animals, as well as extinct animals and zoos. I am not an expert about every animal species. I can look up information from books and the internet, but can't verify if all the information is true. Please don't ask questions about: 1. Pets. I am not a vet. Please contact a vet if your pet is ill. You may need to spend some money if you want your pet to live. Don't get a pet if you don't know how to look after it and if you can't provide it with the space, food and possible companions that will help it live a healthy life. Don't take animals from the wild, unless they are ill and/or injured and you can protect them until a wildlife charity can help. It is cruel to take animals from their parents, especially if the parents will look for the babies, while putting their other babies at risk. You may be breaking the law by keeping wild animals or you may need a licence to look after some species. Please check with a local wildlife group. 2. Eggs: Please don't remove eggs from nests. The mother birds provide the right temperature for the eggs and won't sit on them if the temperature is warm enough for them to develop naturally. It is illegal to remove eggs of some species and, unless you have an incubator or a broody hen, the egg may not develop. If you are allowed to touch the eggs, you can candle them to see if they are fertile. If theys aren't fertile, they won't hatch. 3. Fights: Please don't ask about fights between different animals. These questions assume that individuals of two species fight each time they meet and that one species will always be victorious over another. This is untrue. There are cases where a live mouse has been fed to a venomous snake, bitten the snake leading to the snake's demise. 4: Diseases: Please ask doctors or other medical experts about diseases that you may catch from animals. I can't advise on how to deal with viruses, bacteria etc.

Experience

I have a zoology degree and have been interested in animals since I was two. I am a zoo volunteer at London Zoo. I have appeared on a BBC Radio Quiz, 'Wildbrain'.

Organizations
WWF. ZSL. Natural History Museum. RSPB. London Bat Group.

Publications
Newsletters of London Zoo volunteers and the London Bat Group

Education/Credentials
BSC degree in Zoology. 'A' level in Zoology. 'O' Level in Biology.

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