Introduction
Ask anyone what the strongest animal in the planet is and you are likely to have mentions like lion, elephant or bear. Strength then, is interpreted differently with common metrics such as size and speed used. Here, we’ll capture the world’s strongest animals and tell you why while at it.
What Makes an Animal the Strongest
There’s no obvious definition of strength that allows you to categorically declare an animal as the strongest in the world. Animals have unique habitats, needs and way of life which define their strength distinctly. As such, you find different types of strength as follows.
i. Absolute Strength
An animal’s absolute strength defines the total force it can exert independent of size. Essentially, a large animal such as an elephant will display great absolute strength. This metric crowns the elephant as the strongest land animal owing to its ability to haul several tons.
ii. Relative Strength
An animal’s relative strength measures its strength against its own weight. This metric puts an emphasis on the build of the animal and its efficiency in performing functions. For instance, a dung beetle is able to heave a thousand times its own body weight.
iii. Bite Force
You can crown an animal the strongest on earth by the power of their jaws in executing a bite. Animals, specifically predators use their bite force to subdue prey and crush their flesh and bones. The saltwater crocodile is known to have the strongest bite force in the Kingdom Animalia.
iv. Combat Strength
Duels and sometimes all out brawls are a common occurrence in the animal kingdom. Animals fight for one reason or another primarily defense or offense. For instance, a buffalo can fight off a predator in its defense. Similarly, a tiger can leverage its brute strength to take down larger prey.
v. Stamina
Some animals don’t just have bursts of strength. Instead, they can sustain their power for extended periods and over long distances. Oxen strength has (still is in some areas) been used in farming activities. Similarly, horses’ ability to haul loads over distance without fatigue gave us the horsepower rating for modern vehicles.
vi. Environment
Animals exist in three primary environments: land, air and water. Some animals like the hippopotamus exist in multiple environments, in this case both on land and water. However, for each habitat, you will find animals that exert pure dominance. In the ocean, for example, the killer whale is the final boss.
Top 10 Strongest Animals in the World
We have considered the above mentioned parameters to determine our top ten list for the strongest animal in the world. Note that the list is in no particular order but instead seeks to highlight the strength performance and capacity of the animal in its environment.
1. Dung Beetle
In spite of its small size, you find the dung beetle displays immense strength relative to its body weight. A dung beetle can pull up to a thousand times its own body weight. This strength is harnessed to roll balls of dung for food and breeding purposes, wrestling off rival mates and digging tunnels.
It is believed the dung beetle’s incredible strength is a result of optimized muscle-to-mass ratio. Their specialized exoskeletal structure, specifically thorax and legs gives them a compact, low-to-the-ground build that they leverage.
2. Elephant
These are the largest animals on land weighing up to five thousand kilograms. Elephants can push, pull or carry loads in excess of five hundred kilograms. Displays of elephant strength, especially the African Bush Elephant, can be seen by their use of their trunks, tusks and legs.
Elephants have been seen to flip cars and lift large logs using their trunk. Their tusks on the other hand are strong enough to dig and even uproot trees. The massive elephant legs support their massive weight as well as deliver considerable force. You don’t want to find yourself beneath those pillar legs.
3. Anaconda
A definite top contender for the scariest of animals, the green anaconda specifically is also one of the strongest. This long and heavy South American fauna displays uses its body to display its brute muscular strength. A constrictor, the anaconda coils its massive body around its prey before squeezing to death.
Herpetologists say, anacondas, during constriction, can exert pressure over nine thousand pounds. This is sufficient to break bones staking the reptile’s claim to the strongest animal title. Bear in mind that a green anaconda can grow to over nine metres and weigh over two hundred kilograms.
4. Eagle
We’ve discussed terrestrial and amphibious powerhouses so far. However, when it comes to aerial prowess, the eagle has legitimate claim to being the strongest bird. What makes this bird of prey a strong contender is its mix of unique abilities. This includes vision, speed, and of course sheer strength.
The eagle’s vision is at least four times sharper than ours while its grip strength matches that of lions. Their massive and muscular wingspan reaching eight feet, allows them to fly carrying prey up to eight kilograms. When hunting, the eagle can dive at speeds of up to two hundred kph.
5. Gorilla
If there was a contest for the World’s Strongest Ape, as humans we’d lose terribly to the gorilla. This prime primate’s raw muscle power and physical strength characterized by broad chest and massive shoulders exceeds most land animals. This is in spite of its largely vegetarian diet.
Gorillas utilize their muscular build for ambulation, climbing and good old defense. These animals possess arm strength that can reach 9x that of an adult human and capable of lifting over 1,500 kg. Its bite force is stronger than a lion’s exceeding 1,000 psi.
6. Grizzly Bear
Massive and intimidating are adjectives that adequately describe the grizzly bear. These apex animals weigh over 300 kg and pack a bite force hitting 1,000 psi. Using a single paw, these beasts can lift in excess of half a ton. Their four inch claws can dig dip into flesh or earth and snow.
It’s not just sheer strength that warrants the grizzly bear a place in the strongest animals roll. This mammal utilizes its strength with intelligence as well. It possess an excellent memory and can be ingenious when hunting or avoiding humans.
7. Orca (Killer Whale)
When you enter the deep seas, you are a guest in the world of the killer whale. Orcas physically dominate other marine life. Add their astute predatory instincts and you have the undisputed strongest inhabitants of the deep blue.
Orcas when in hunting pods can generate waves and topple seals off icebergs. These sea monsters can grow up to nine meters, weigh in excess of five tons and travel at over 50 km/h. Escaping their bite is impossible with their jaws snapping shut at a devastating 19,000 psi.
8. Lion
The lion is not referred to as the King of the Jungle for no good reason. There’s not one but many predicates to the royal connotation of this big cat. An apex predator, the combined power, speed and absolute dominance of the lion makes it one of the strongest animals.
A mature lion can weigh over 200 kg and exert a bite force exceeding 500 psi. A paw swipe by Mufasa won’t just knock down Thurston but even crack his skull. When 8 km away, you might be notified of His Majesty’s roaring presence. If that doesn’t scare you, this cat can cover 10 m with a single leap.
9. Ox
One of the primary reasons the ox was domesticated thousands of years ago was for its brute power especially in pulling. Ox have an abundance in muscle density with incredible stamina that allows them to put in long working hours without exhaustion.
The ox is arguably the strongest animals when it comes to work output. Male bovines can weigh up to 1,000 kg and pull one a half times their weight. They take the crown though on endurance, capable of working at a consistent performance level for around eight hours.
10. Tiger
There are apex predators, then there’s the tiger. This big cat possesses superb agility and unbelievable muscular strength making it the strongest in the genus Pantera. Its raw, explosive force allows it to hunt solo unlike the lion that relies on the pack.
A Siberian tiger can weigh over 300 kg and has a bite force stronger than a lion’s at around 1,000 psi. When this tiger raises its paw to strike prey, it can pack enough force to incapacitate a buffalo. Furthermore, it can cover ten metres in a single leap and heave twice its weight uphill.
Strongest Animals in the World — Overall
When discussing the strongest animal in the world, it is important to understand the type of strength. Strength can mean the greatest force in relation to size or the most weight an animal can lift. In these regard, we’ll settle for absolute and relative strength.
When it comes to relative strength, the diminutive but impressive dung beetle takes the crown of strongest in the world. C’mon, the tiny thing can pull a thousand times its weight. With regard to absolute strength, the largest land mammal the elephant dominates all others hands down.
Unbeatable Animal in the Wild
Being unbeatable doesn’t necessarily mean being the strongest or largest. Like GTA V taught us, surviving is winning. You can refer to an animal that owns its environment and is rarely preyed upon as unbeatable. Additionally, an animal with impressive survival skills can also claim to be unbeatable.
With the definition of unbeatable out of the way, some primary candidates are highlighted thus:
1. Polar Bear – This top predator survives the Arctic’s freezing temperatures. Talk of being a cold blooded killer.
2. Saltwater Crocodile – You do not want to be caught in the jaws of this largest living reptile.
3. The Killer Whale – What more can we say when the ocean’s supreme predator scares even white sharks.
4. Honey Badger – Yes, you read right. This relatives to weasels and otters can survive starvation, snake venom and put up a fierce attack against its predators.
The Lion’s Claim as the Strongest Animal in the World
No one can really tell who crowned the lion King of the Jungle, when and by what merit. In any case, royalty are not known to be strong physically instead they wield absolute power. Maybe it’s because of the mane that crowns its head and covers its neck.
Nonetheless, the lion’s incredible muscle build, explosive power and bite strength make it an apex predator. The lion’s social dominance and unique pride structure positions it as an intimidating foe. However, with regard to being the strongest animal, it is more metaphorical than reality.
The Strongest Animals in Specific Environments
If there was a strongest pageant for animals, there’d be different classes most probably based on the environment. It could be one for the expansive skies, the dense jungles, the dry savannah or the deep ocean. Here’s a summary of the strongest animals in specific environments:
i. Strongest in the Air – There’s no question about the dominance of the eagle in the skies. Their hunting dexterity coupled with grip strength and carrying power make it the strongest flying predator.
ii. Strongest in the Jungle –The tiger offers formidable competition with its predatory skills and combat strength. However, you’ve got to give it to the gorilla for its pure muscle power and lifting capability.
iii. Strongest in the Ocean – The blue whale puts a strong case for size matters. However, the killer whale is the clear winner from its sheer dominance as a predator.
iv. Strongest on Land – The elephant takes the crown unopposed with its unmatched muscle strength and power.
Top 5 vs. Top 20 Strongest Animals
We’ve mentioned and discussed the top ten strongest animals in the world. Here, you will learn our pick for the top five from the ten. Additionally, we’ll highlight ten honourable mentions that didn’t make the top ten cut to complete the twenty strongest animals list.
Top 5 Strongest Animals – The Animalia Avengers
1. Tiger — An apex predator with enough power to subdue prey double its size.
2. Grizzly Bear — An unbelievable muscular build with an incapacitating swipe force.
3. Gorilla — The prime ape is built like a brick and can lift ten times its weight.
4. Elephant — The largest animal on God’s green earth with immense lifting power.
5. Dung Beetle — Surprise, surprise! Yes, you’d demand the respect too if you pulled a thousand times your weight.
The Top 20 (11 – 20) – Close Contenders
Here’s a list of the other ten animals that make the list to close out the top twenty strongest animals on the planet. These animals will not often make headlines but possess diverse attributes deserving a mention in the top twenty.
11. Blue Whale: The largest animal in the known universe with an astounding body mass in excess of a hundred tons.
12. Camel: Another animal capable of surviving a harsh environment, this time the desert. Its endurance and hauling strength for days without fail is admirable.
13. Honey Badger: If a cat has nine lives, the honey badger has ten. This animal can survive venom and has no qualms stepping up to a predator.
14. Horse: Your ancestors probably used the horse for locomotive purposes owing to their strength, speed, and endurance.
15. Komodo Dragon: Venomous with powerful jaws for a ruthless bite and an uncharacteristically strong tail that can break bones.
16. Polar Bear: Ability to survive the harsh Arctic environment and physical strength to kill and drag large animals like seals.
17. Rhinoceros: Can weigh over two tons and possess brute force and power on impact.
18. Saltwater Crocodile: Having the strongest bite on land and the confidence to attack large animals like the buffalo should say enough.
19. Hippopotamus: This animal is at home on both land and water and is highly territorial in both instances. It has immense bulk strength and a wicked bite force around 2,000 psi.
20. Leafcutter Ant: Size matters is a phrase that does not apply to this insect native to South and Central America. It can carry objects as much as fifty times its weight.
Strongest animals in the jungle
i. African Bush Elephant: Sitting at the top of the strength charts, an African bush elephant can lift approximately around 6,000 kg (its own body weight) and carry 9,000 kg. Its trunk can lift more than 250 kg by itself. This makes it the most muscular land animal in the world, again both in absolute and relative terms.
ii. Gorilla (Silverback): Among primates, gorillas are unmatched. An adult male is able to lift as much as 815 kg—nearly 10× the strength of a human. Their bite force is also substantial, which is 1,300 psi. Possess capital gibbon arms used for climbing and swatting.
iii. Tiger: Tigers are one of the most powerful carnivores and are able to pull prey about twice their body weight (~550 kg) and punch hard as well. With their powerful forearms and strong claws, they are terrific hunters in the dense bushes.
Conclusion
It is evident from the assorted list that strength comes in different forms and is not limited to size or strength. Furthermore, animals exist in different environments within which they can display their dominance.
FAQs
Q1. Which is the strongest animal on Earth?
It depends on your definition of strength. For instance a dung beetle can pull a thousand times its weight. Contrarily, an elephant can weigh over seven tons and lift over half a ton.
Q2. Which animal is unbeatable?
Animals exist in different environments and will often times face challengers be they other predators or even prey. An unbeatable animal has to entirely dominate its ecosystem which means unlikely natural predators. A few animals come close like the killer whale’s absolute supremacy in the ocean.
Q3. What is the toughest animal?
Again, animals will portray toughness in different ways and environments. So it will essentially depend on your definition of toughness. A honey badger for instance is a tough fighter that can take on its predators despite their size or perceived strength.
Q4. Which is strongest tiger or lion?
When evaluating physical attributes, the tiger offers a stronger display than the lion. A Siberian tiger can weigh over 300 kg while a male African lion at a lower 250 kg. Additionally, a lion’s bite force of just about 600 psi pales in comparison with a tiger’s bite force of over 1,000 psi.
Q5. What is the strongest animal ever?
Q6. Which animal is strongest in fight?
Q7. What animal is 10 times stronger than a human?
The gorilla is widely considered to be some 10 times stronger than a human. An adult silverb[[rubygo]]ack gorilla is so powerful that they can lift as much as 1,800 kgs. With their brawny biceps, they climb, fight, and rule, and as such they are nature’s true giants.
