The cheetah is the fastest animal on land, but many people don’t know that cheetahs also have a powerful bite. Just how strong is a cheetah’s bite though?
The bite force of a cheetah is approximately 475 psi, which is approximately three times stronger than that of humans. By big cat standards, however, it is one of the weakest. In comparison, a jaguar has a bite force almost three times stronger.
The cheetah has a weaker bite force due to its physical makeup, but as we’ll cover in this article, cheetahs don’t necessarily need such a powerful biting force.
Does The Cheetah Need A Strong Bite Force?
An animal’s physical traits often change over time based on its hunting techniques, feeding patterns, and other actions or behaviors that it needs to survive.
A cheetah is built for speed; it takes down prey by running and tripping/tackling the animal before clamping on to the neck to strangle it to death.
Cheetahs also choose smaller prey that they can easily handle.
Gazelles, for example, are one of the cheetah’s favorite prey. They have a light body, and the neck is relatively soft, which a cheetah can easily clamp onto. It is also slender enough to fit the cheetah’s mouth.
The cheetah’s teeth can easily pierce through the gazelle’s skin and provide traction while it steadily holds on and waits for the prey to suffocate.
As gazelles hardly require a massive bite force to kill, cheetahs do not require the biting power of other animals that prey on larger game or have to snap down with a large amount of force.
Cheetah Bite Force: Compared
When compared to jaguars, lions, and tigers, cheetahs have one of the weakest bite forces of all big cats.
Here’s a comparison table with some of the known bite forces of different felines:
| Animal | Bite Force |
|---|---|
| Jaguar | 1500 psi |
| Tiger | 1050 psi |
| Bobcat | 827 psi |
| Cougar | 724 psi |
| Lion | 650 psi |
| Lynx | 636 psi |
| Cheetah | 475 psi |
| Domestic cat | 70 psi |
When it comes to other animals, crocodiles and alligators are among the most powerful biters that have been measured.
We haven’t been able to measure Great White Sharks and large whales, as it is extremely difficult (without having to throw in the element of being underwater).
Still, it’s estimated that Great Whites have a bite force of approximately 4000 psi.
Below is a table comparing the known bite forces of various animals and where cheetahs rank:
| Animal | Bite Force |
|---|---|
| Saltwater Crocodile | 3700 psi |
| American Alligator | 2125 psi |
| Hippopotamus | 1800 psi |
| Gorilla | 1300 psi |
| Polar Bear | 1200 psi |
| Grizzly Bear | 1160 psi |
| Hyena | 1100 psi |
| Alligator Snapping Turtle | 1004 psi |
| Mastiff | 550 psi |
| Cheetah | 475 psi |
| Black Piranha | 464 psi |
| Grey Wolf | 398 psi |
| Humans | 160 psi |
Based on this, we can safely say that cheetahs are rated far below those animals that are designed to produce strong bite forces.
As you can see, humans have quite a hefty bite considering we don’t use it for hunting, but it’s still only a third of what a cheetah can produce.
Cheetah’s Bite Force Quotient
Bite force quotient is the value given to an animal’s bite force in relation to its body mass.
So, a lion may have a 600 psi bite force, which is higher than the cheetah’s 475 psi, but when we consider their size difference, the cheetah has a more powerful bite for its size.
Here’s how a cheetah ranks up in this list:
| Animal | Bite Force Quotient |
|---|---|
| Tasmanian Devil | 181 BFQ |
| African Wild Dog | 142 BFQ |
| Jaguar | 137 BFQ |
| Clouded Leopard | 137 BFQ |
| Grey Wolf | 136 BFQ |
| Sand Cat | 130 BFQ |
| Tiger | 127 BFQ |
| Cheetah | 119 BFQ |
| Spotted Hyena | 119 BFQ |
| Domestic Dog | 114 BFQ |
| Lion | 112 BFQ |
| Cougar | 108 BFQ |
| Domestic Cat | 67 BFQ |
Final Thoughts On Cheetahs Bite Force
Cheetahs are the fastest land animals but they do not have the strongest bite. With a bite force of only 475 psi, cheetahs rank near the bottom of all big cats.
However, their bite force quotient is 119 which is higher than a lion’s.
Although cheetahs’ bites are not particularly strong, they do pack quite a punch since their jaws can deliver a bite that is three times stronger than that of a human.
FAQs
Is Inbreeding Ruining Cheetah’s Teeth?
Yes, inbreeding causes many challenges for cheetahs in captivity and in the wild. One clear indication is the numerous reports of dental issues, palate deformation, and perforation. Cheetahs have some of the lowest genetic diversity in the cat family.
Are There Instances Of Prey Escaping From A Cheetah’s Bite?
A strong enough jerk can loosen a cheetah’s hold on to its prey’s neck. This usually happens with juvenile cheetahs who don’t know what they’re doing yet and are still learning how to hunt properly.
Does A Cheetah’s Bite Hurt?
Yes. Bite yourself as hard as you can to feel how painful it is. Consider now that you probably weren’t actually biting as hard as possible and that a cheetah can chomp down at three times that amount. Yes, a cheetah bite will definitely hurt.