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The (maximal) bite force of the Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is estimated around 22,000 Newton (refer to YouTube interview with Ofer Kobi, a crocodile conservation ranger and croc farm owner, time 7:50-8:00, Hebrew , where he estimates the bite force as above 2 metric tons). However, I didn't find a proper reference for this. Dr. Gregory Erickson measured the bite forces of a 5.2 meters long Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) and obtained a value of about 16,000+ Newton and estimated a 6.7 meters long Saltwater Crocodile can exert a bite twice as strong (about 34,000 Newton). See Paper by Gregory Erickson et al. Interesting to note that Erickson measured small Nile Crocodile (total body length < 3 meters) so it does not represent the bite force of a full adult big crocodile.

Remarks on units of force:

1 Newton = 1 kg * 1 meter / sec^2

$1 \ \mathrm{Newton} = \frac{\mathrm{kg} \times \mathrm{meter}}{\mathrm{second}^2}$

1 Newton = 0.224808943 lbf = 0.225 lbf (pound-force)

10,000 Newton is approximately 1 tonne-force (1 tonne = 1 metric ton = 1000 kg)

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  • $\begingroup$ Where did you get your estimates from? $\endgroup$
    – Remi.b
    Jun 18, 2018 at 20:13
  • $\begingroup$ From an interview with an owner of a crocodile farm. $\endgroup$
    – Triceratops
    Jun 24, 2018 at 17:18
  • $\begingroup$ An interview you've conducted yourself? An interview that has been diffused on TV? Do you have a link to this interview or some document where we can find direct quote or something? $\endgroup$
    – Remi.b
    Jun 24, 2018 at 21:25
  • $\begingroup$ No, an interview on TV. It was held in Hebrew. Since he is not a scientist I am looking for a better reference for the bite force of a Nile Crocodile. It seems strange that no body measured the bite force of a 5+ meters nile croc. $\endgroup$
    – Triceratops
    Jun 25, 2018 at 17:26
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    $\begingroup$ Here it is: YouTube Time: 7:50-8:00 $\endgroup$
    – Triceratops
    Jun 25, 2018 at 20:29

1 Answer 1

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Here is a video by Brady Barr (video in YouTube) measuring 5000 lbf for an adult Nile Crocodile. This is equivalent to 22.24 kN (more than 2.2 tonnes of force). This result is also refered here (Getty Images).

Nile Crocodile, image from Wikipedia Source: Gianfranco Gori, Wikipedia

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