What Were the Bite Forces of Mesozoic Era Dinosaurs?
Every animal on our planet has a bite force, which is the amount of pressure their jaw exerts when they bite down. Often, carnivorous animals have stronger bite forces than herbivorous animals because they have to chew through bones, muscles, and tendons. Scientists measure bite force in pounds per square inch (PSI) because it describes the pressure that the jaw exerts when any animal—including dinosaurs—bites down.
Throughout the Mesozoic era, dinosaurs came in various shapes and sizes, which also means there were variations in bite force. Expand your knowledge on the bite forces of Mesozoic era dinosaurs ahead.
Which Dinosaur Had the Strongest Bite Force?
Of all the species to live throughout the Age of Dinosaurs, the T. rex had the strongest bite force thanks to its massive skull. Scientists hypothesize that a fully grown Tyrannosaurus rex had a bite force that exceeded 10,000 PSI. With a bite that strong, this fearsome foe could easily bite through the bones of Triceratops and other dinosaurs.
It’s also worth noting that this beast had a dangerous bite, even during its early years of life. During its juvenile stage (between 13 and 18 years old), paleontologists estimate that T. rexes bit down at around 1,000 PSI of force. By comparison, a hyena has a bite force of around 1,100 PSI, making it close in range to the prehistoric beast.
Which Dinosaur Had the Weakest Bite Force?
When exploring the bite forces of Mesozoic era dinosaurs, we should also discuss which dinos had the weakest. While it’s hard to say which specific dinosaur this “award” goes to, it was most likely an herbivore like the Stegosaurus. Paleontologists believe this because the herbivorous dinosaur had a small and narrow head, leaving it with a tiny snout. Having a compact mouth meant there was less room for muscles, leading to a weaker bite.
Moreover, the Stegosaurus didn’t need a strong bite since it grazed on ground-level plants, such as ferns and cycads. Scientists suspect that its bite force was close to 500 PSI, making it even weaker than a teenage T. rex.
Honorable Mentions
Hundreds of dinosaurs lived throughout the Mesozoic era, and each one had a different bite force. Some bonus dinosaurs and their bite forces include:
- Carcharodontosaurus: 3,000 PSI
- Giganotosaurus: 4,000 to 9,000 PSI
- Spinosaurus: 4,000 to 5,000 PSI
- Triceratops: 1,500 PSI
One way that scientists estimate the bite force of different dinosaurs is by making 3D models of them based on each species’ fossilized skull. This information helps paleontologists estimate the size of muscles, which impacts how hard a species can bite down.
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Creative Beast Studio’s Beasts of the Mesozoic figures include the dinosaurs you know and love, such as the Stegosaurus, Allosaurs, Deinonychus, and more. These beasts are accurate in every way except their bite—luckily! Add your favorite dinosaurs to your home.
