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Force of a Snake Bite #601324

Asked October 07, 2019, 3:55 PM EDT

Do you know the newtons of force associated with a snake bite, specifically a rattlesnake?

Harris County Texas

Expert Response

Thank you for your question. I could not find any information on the force associated with a snake bite. There is plenty of information on the evaluation of bite force in larger animals (lions, tigers, crocodiles, alligators, hyenas, hippopotamuses), but not snakes. I did find an estimate of the bite force of a rattlesnake of 150 psi by a reptile vet. This is equivalent to approximately 667 newtons. Saltwater crocodiles lead with the strongest bite force of approximately 16,460 newtons.

See this link to National Geographic:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/3/120315-crocodiles-bite-force-erickson-science-plos-one-strongest/

I hope this information helps, and thank you for contacting Ask an Expert.

Jim

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