How hard can a man bite?

Answer 1

The human jaw can exert a suprising amount of force when it bites down. A human bite has been tested to a force of an average 117 to 265 lbs. Some humans can bite with stronger or weaker force, depending upon their individual strength. Yes, the answer above is generally correct. However, human jaw muscles, like any muscle, can be developed with proper excersize. According to the Guiness book of world records, one man achieved a bite force of 975 pounds for two seconds once - he was of inuit (eskimo) descent. Human bite forces are predicted to vary with age, sex, ethnicity, and lifestyle considerations. The skulls of some races are more naturally promotive of a stronger bite due to more favorable anchorage of the massateer muscles (jaw muscles). Chimpanzees are closely related to humans, and are predicted to have bite strength similar or slightly greater to ours. However, chimpanzee teeth are much thicker and stronger than ours, and might be capable of handling bite forces that might chip or destroy human teeth. Chimps also have a special ridge or crest on the tops of their skulls to anchor their massateer muscles running from their jaw over their temple to the top of their head -- this may also allow for a more powerful bite. In gorillas and orangutans, this crest is very pronounced, indicating an exteremely powerful bite. While chimps might be able to chomp off a human thumb in one bite, a gorilla could possibly do the same to a whole hand. Humans, also, might be able to do significant damage to a finger and possibly scar or crack the bone.