Rats possess surprisingly strong bite forces. Their jaw muscles can exert up to 12 tons (or 24,000 pounds) per square inch.
To put this into perspective, consider the following comparison:
Rat Bite Force vs. Other Animals
Animal | Bite Force (Pounds per Square Inch) | Bite Force (Tons per Square Inch) |
---|---|---|
Rat | 24,000 | 12 |
Great White Shark | 3,600 - 4,000 | 1.8 - 2 |
While a great white shark's bite is formidable, a rat's bite, measured by pressure per square inch, can be significantly more powerful.