Animals: Learn All About Animals

Komodo Dragon vs. Crocodile: Who Wins in a Fight?

Here’s who wins in a fight between a komodo dragon and a crocodile: A saltwater crocodile will always win in a battle with a Komodo dragon. The Komodo dragon is the biggest lizard on the planet, but the crocodile weighs six times more. Crocodiles are very fast and unpredictable. The Komodo dragon would be grabbed and drowned before it knew what hit it. If you want to learn all about why a crododile wins almost in every fight with a Komodo dragon, then you’re in the right place. Let’s jump right in! Who Wins in a Fight Between a Komodo Dragon and a Saltwater Crocodile? Crocodiles and Komodo dragons are two of the fiercest predators in the world. It’s fun to imagine them locked in battle. Unfortunately for the Komodo dragons and their fans, a saltwater crocodile will always win this battle. Although the Komodo dragon is the biggest lizard on the planet, the crocodile weighs six times more. If a Komodo dragon is foolish enough to enter crocodile territory, it will find itself in a death trap with no possible escape. The Komodo dragon is the same size as the prey that crocodiles are used to eating. Crocodiles are very fast and unpredictable. They would grab and drown the Komodo dragon before the dragon knew what hit it. “What about the venomous bite of the Komodo dragon,” you ask? Well, crocodilians, in general, are immune to snake venom, so a dragon bite probably wouldn’t do very much harm, either. The crocodile’s aggressive immune systems would react very quickly if a Komodo managed to puncture it with a bite, which is highly unlikely to happen, anyway. The crocodile’s immune cells will discover the harmful bacteria before it does any serious damage to the crocodile. Do Komodo Dragons and Crocodiles Meet in Nature? No. Komodo dragons and crocodiles occupy different habitats. They don’t meet in nature. Can an Animal Escape a Crocodile Attack? Yes, some animals can and do survive crocodile attacks. It’s been recorded on video multiple times, in fact. Animals such as buffalos are powerful enough to escape the crocodiles’ attacks. The big cats and constrictor snakes are fast enough to even get the jump on crocodiles and put them at a disadvantage. Elephants are too large for even the mighty crocodile to threaten. The Komodo dragon doesn’t fully fulfill any of the characteristics to survive the attack. They are neither powerful, fast, or large enough. Which Is More Dangerous to Humans: Komodo Dragons or Crocodiles? Every year, about 1000 people are killed and eaten by crocodiles. Komodo dragons rarely attack humans, though the statistics are surely influenced by the fact that very few people live in their extremely limited habitats. Between 1974 and 2021, there have been only 24 Komodo dragon attacks on people, five of which were fatal. Crocodiles are a significantly more dangerous to humans. What Is the Komodo Dragons Hunting Strategy? The hunting strategy of Komodo Dragons is based on stealth. They will wait for hours until prey crosses their path. Using a unique way of fighting, the dragons are ferociously efficient killers. They spring up and knock their victims over with their massive claws. Once the prey is down, the Komodo starts shredding the animal with its serrated teeth, which are similar to shark teeth. There’s no point in trying to escape. Those victims that manage to flee after getting bitten will die of blood poisoning within 24 hours because the saliva of Komodo dragons has more than 50 strains of bacteria. Animals that were bitten and died of poisoning will eventually get eaten by a Komodo. The lizards have a strong sense of smell and will track down the dead animal. What Does a Komodo Dragon Feed On? Komodo dragons are carnivores, which means they eat meat. A Komodo can eat animals much larger than themselves, such as deer, water buffalo, carrion, and pigs. They can attack humans, too, and they eat other smaller animals of their own species. A Komodo dragon can fill its stomach with 80% of its bodyweight in just one feeding. What Does a Crocodile Feed On? The saltwater crocodile is a typical opportunistic predator, which means it ambushes its prey. It lurks near the water’s edge, just below the surface, patiently waiting for an opportunity to strike. In most cases, the victim is an animal that just stops by to have a sip of water. Crocodiles will eat anything that moves, including monkeys, water buffalos, wild boars, even smaller sharks. Thrashing their enormous tails, crocodiles explode from the water and bite their victims without a warning. They drag the victims back inside the water and hold them under until they drown. What Are the Crocodile Physical Attributes? The saltwater crocodile is the largest reptile on planet Earth. They are massive, and their primordial appearance reminds us of far older times in the world. Names like Indo-Pacific crocodile, estuarine crocodile, marine crocodile, and sea crocodile are all monikers for the same animal. Saltwater crocodiles are distributed from India and Asia to Australia and Oceania. The head of a saltwater crocodile is very large and triangularly shaped. Their teeth can be 3.5 inches (8.8 centimeters) long, and they number a total of 66: 36 on the upper jaw and 30 on the lower. Their jaws produce a bite force of 3700 pounds per square inch (1.65 tons per square inch). Adult saltwater crocodiles can measure up to 23 feet (7 meters) long. Most of them, however, are within the average length interval of 11–19 feet (3.3–5.8 meters). Adult male crocodiles are larger than females and can have a bodyweight of more than 2000 pounds (900 kilograms). Human hunting of crocodiles contributed to reduced species size, so it’s hard to find a specimen longer than 19 feet (5.8 meters) nowadays. The physical traits of saltwater crocodiles allow them to be very successful predators. They can swim fast because of their streamlined bodies and because of the possibility to decrease water …

Animals

Punch of a Gorilla: How Strong?

Here’s how strong the punch of a gorilla is: Typical gorilla punches deliver 1300–2700 pounds of force. Consider that the average, untrained human throws a punch with roughly 150 pounds of force. Boxers average 750 pounds of force, which is more than the average puncher but still far less than the gorilla. So if you want to learn all about the punch power of a gorilla, then this article is for you. Let’s jump right in! How Strong Is the Punch of a Gorilla? The average gorilla punch delivers 1300–2700 pounds of force. To put that into perspective, consider the fact that the average, untrained human throws a punch with around 150 pounds of force. Trained boxers average 750 pounds of force—better than the untrained puncher but still nowhere near as powerful as the gorilla. One significant contributor to the powerful gorilla punch is the length of the animals’ arms. Also, gorillas have dense muscle mass. The muscle density is four times higher than most professional human fighters. Their muscle mass and massive arms both contribute to their incredible power—it’s a little trick of nature known as “robustness.” You can find footage displaying the strength of gorillas. The animals often pull banana trees over and break them in half as if they’re tiny branches. Surprisingly enough, there’s no committed scientific research on the strength of gorillas. Most of the accumulated data comes from assumptions and comparisons. What Would Happen if You Got Punched by a Gorilla? Gorillas are peaceful animals. It’s almost impossible to get them to fight unless they feel threatened by your actions. However, if you push them too far, you can get yourself in serious trouble. A direct hit to the head will crush a human’s skull, which can take 550 pounds of force—a lot less than what a gorilla’s arm can produce. Punches in the torso can lead to broken ribs, organ rupture, severe bleeding, and eventually death. There’s no doubt that a single gorilla punch is enough to break a human being’s leg or arm. Large Gorilla Arms Did you know that the arms of the gorillas are much longer than their legs? Their stocky legs are approximately 20 percent shorter than their giant arms. The arm span in adult male gorillas stretches from 7-feet and 7-inches to 8-feet 6-inches (2.3–2.6 meters) and from 4-feet 1-inch to 4 feet 11 inches (1.25–1.5 meters) in females. Their arm span is approximately 1 foot (30 centimeters) longer than the arm span of the average male human. Can a Human Punch as Strong as a Gorilla? A human can train his whole life, build muscle, and dedicate himself to becoming the strongest person on the planet, but they still won’t be able to punch as powerfully as a gorilla. There’s a vast difference in certain biological and anatomical characteristics (such as the manner of walking) between humans and gorillas. One of those differences is the drastic difference in arm development. Humans simply are not anatomically capable of punching as powerfully as a gorilla. When Do Gorillas Punch? There are a few situations in which the traditionally peaceful gorilla becomes an unstoppable beast. An adult male, called a “silverback,” starts throwing punches whenever his group is attacked or threatened. These males protect what they love, sometimes with their lives. Males can show aggression towards other males to establish dominance. This rarely leads to a fight. Weird noises and chest punches are generally enough. Females can be aggressive towards other females, as well. Sometimes, though, the silverbacks go off. They bite, bash, and throw punches. Everyone and everything has a limit—including gorillas. How Strong Is a Gorilla Compared to a Human? Only a relatively few humans have bodybuilder physiques, but all gorillas do. Gorillas are hulking, powerful creatures. Can a human bodybuilder’s strength compare with an average gorilla? As the largest primates walking on the planet, gorillas are the strongest ones, as well. They rank near the top of the strength hierarchy of all animals on Earth, in fact. Silverbacks can weigh between 287 and 507 pounds (130 and 230 kilograms). The average human weights approximately 177 pounds (80 kilograms). That means an average male human can be two to three times smaller than a silverback. How Much Weight Can a Gorilla Lift? Scientists believe that gorillas are four to eight times stronger than the average male human. Their exceptionally muscular build makes it possible for them to lift a load of 1800 lbs (815). A well-trained bodybuilder and a dead-lift professional can lift a maximum of 900 lbs (410 kg). That’s two times less than a gorilla that didn’t dedicate its life to lifting. Some claim that gorillas can lift a 4–27 times their body weight, but that cannot be easily confirmed. If, for example, a gorilla is 500 lbs (227 kg), 27 times its body weight is 13500 lbs (6130 kg). The African bush elephant is the largest living terrestrial animal and weighs around 13000 pounds. It’s highly unlikely that even the strongest silverback can lift an African elephant by himself. Can a Human Fight a Gorilla? A human can fight a gorilla, but the outcome wouldn’t be good. The gorilla is simply too powerful. If you had to go up against any animal in the world, a gorilla would be one of the worst draws you could get. You can only survive a gorilla fight if the gorilla chooses to let you, assuming you’re unarmed. When gorillas fight, they abide by the laws of nature. There are no legal setbacks or moral concerns to stop them from seriously hurting their enemy. The moral and legal rules of human society usually keep us from severely harming others. Such is not the case with gorillas. Their potential savagery can be observed from situations when one silverback male fights another one. A large limitation for the gorillas compared to humans is that they don’t participate in practicing martial arts. Such combat sports teach humans how to use what they …

Animals

Gorilla vs. Elephant: Who Wins in a Fight?

Here’s whether a gorilla or an elephant wins in a fight: A silverback gorilla can do absolutely nothing to an adult elephant. A gorilla can throw rocks, wield a stick, slap, punch, and bite, but it will only scratch the elephant. Elephants are the largest land mammals in the world. Even a handful of gorillas in an organized attack would be unable to defeat an adult one. If you want to learn all about why an elephant has the upper hand against a gorilla, then this article is for you. Let’s get started! How Can a Gorilla Kill an Adult Elephant? An adult male gorilla (silverback) can’t defeat a healthy, adult elephant. It may be able to win if the elephant is terminally ill or very young. A gorilla’s only advantage is its ability to use objects as weapons, but that’s too elementary to threaten elephants. If gorillas don’t find a way to produce mechanized weapons or firearms, there’s no real chance to defeat a healthy adult elephant. The Skin vs. The Teeth An elephant’s skin is 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick in most places. The gorilla’s upper and lower canines are 2 inches (5 cm) long. So, a silverback would be able to penetrate the elephant’s skin if he got close enough to bite. How and When Do Elephants Fight? Male elephants mostly fight other males to claim dominance. The testosterone that rises during monsoon season drives the Asian species of elephants to a state known as “musth.” When in musth, male elephants become aggressive, restless, and eager to fight. Why these elephants become aggressive during monsoon season remains a mystery. Females go into heat throughout the whole year, so that’s probably not reason. Elephants are more likely to attack humans during monsoon season, as well. Studies show a higher incidence of elephant-related deaths in humans during this period. While there’s a periodic pattern for the musth phenomenon in Asian elephants, their African counterparts are different. They can go into musth that lasts 1-3 months once, twice, or three times per year, regardless of environmental factors. The tusks and trunks reach their full potential during musth. Only the African elephants have tusks, and they use them for fighting. They fight with their tusks locked and with the trunks draped over them. Asian elephants lacking tusks fight by pushing their heads against their opponents. At the same time, they hold their trunks in their mouths to avoid accidentally stepping on them. An Elephant’s Tusks and Trunk The tusk of a male adult elephant weighs between 110 and 175 lbs (50-79 kg). A female’s tusk is quite lighter at 40-44 lbs (18-20 kg). There are cases of extraordinarily large tusks. The heaviest one ever weighed was 220 lbs (100 kg). Anatomically, the trunk is an unusual combination of a nose and upper lip with nostrils at the tip. This large and powerful weapon weighs around 290 lbs (130 kg) and is capable of lifting a 550 lbs (250 kg) load. Can Elephants Become Aggressive? Yes, elephants can be aggressive towards other species. It usually happens when they are sick, injured, or harassed. Mother elephants get defensive of their calves. When an elephant feels threatened, it mainly wants to show its superior strength and social position to its opponent. The angry males stare into the eyes of the threat, spread their ears out, and raise their heads and tusks high. In severe cases, elephants attack by charging the opponent. Using its tusks, the animal will gore, throw, and crush the victims along with continuous stomping. Elephants can tear down trees and flip cars. They can run at a 25 mph (40 km/h), so there’s minimal chance of getting away alive. Gorilla runs at approximately the same speed. It’s also got good endurance. Gorillas are one of the rare animal species that might get past a charging elephant. What Can Kill an Elephant? Few animals in the world can kill or seriously harm an elephant. Some of them fight with elephants for food and others for territory. In any case, if the elephant loses, it’s probably because it was too young, too old, or too sick. The elephant’s natural enemies are: African lion Saltwater crocodile Rhino King cobra Hyena Human Inter-species clashes occur most frequently between elephants and rhinos battling for territory, followed by African lions and saltwater crocodiles hunting elephants for food. A saltwater crocodile can kill and eat a baby elephant on its own. As for the older elephants, it bites their trunks off and waits for them to die of malnutrition. Humans are the elephant’s worst enemies. Using various weapons, poachers still kill elephants today. Are Gorillas or Elephants More Dangerous to Humans? Every year, elephants kill 100 to 500 people. Sometimes they accidentally gore or step on a human, but sometimes they deliberately raid villages. Their sheer size and weight are enough to give a lethal blow with only one strike. Do Gorillas and Elephants Meet in Nature? Even though gorillas and elephants don’t meet face-to-face in nature, they do share some mutual habitats and play huge roles in their ecosystems. Dzanga-Sangha: Mutual Habitat of Gorillas and Elephants The Dzanga-Sangha is a protected landscape situated in the Congo Basin in Central Africa. The area is home to western lowland gorillas and forest elephants. The diversity of tropical rainforest ecosystems makes it possible for both species to coexist among other animals. Albertine Rift Valley—A Sanctuary for Gorillas and Elephants The Albertine Rift Valley covers parts of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is an important ecoregion that transitions from lowland to mountainous forests. Across this 750-mile (1207 km) valley roam African forest elephants and eastern lowland gorillas. Both subspecies are critically endangered, and this is one of the rare places in the world where they can meet. How Many Elephant Species Are There? There are three species of elephants: Savannah elephant (African forests) Forest elephant (African savannahs) Asian elephant Forest elephants weigh between …

Animals

Orca Killer Whale vs. Great White Shark: Who Wins in a Fight?

Here’s whether an orca killer whale or a great white shark wins in a fight: The great white shark is no match for an orca, also known as the killer whale. Orcas are bigger, braver, and more strategic. A healthy orca always wins against a great white. Mutilated great white shark carcasses that wash up on beaches testify to the fact that orcas often prey upon them. If you want to learn all about whether an orca killer whale or a great white shark wins in a fight, then you’re in the right place. Keep reading! Who Wins in a Fight Between a Orca Killer Whale and a Great White Shark? This is a battle of apex predators, but the outcome is actually rather lopsided. Most people think of the great white shark as the ocean’s top predator. We tend to think of the great white as the most voracious hunter in temperate-ocean ecosystems, with a key role in controlling environmental dynamics. In truth, the great white shark is no match for an orca, more commonly called the “killer whale.” Orcas are bigger, braver, and more strategic. In a fight, a healthy orca always wins against the great white. Mutilated great white shark carcasses that wash up on beaches testify to the fact that orcas often prey upon them. The great white is not top of the food chain. What Happens When Orcas and Great Whites Meet in Nature? To keep track of shark movements, a team of marine ecologists and scientists tagged 17 of the animals in California in 2009. They recorded months of great whites hunting elephant seals. The sharks’ predatory habits stopped when orcas arrived. The sharks fled the scene just a few hours later. The sharks didn’t return to the hunting area until months later. They continued to flee any time that orcas appeared. An advantage for great whites is that they can swim at speeds of 25 miles per hour (40 kilometers per hour) for longer periods than the orcas can maintain their speed. Orcas can reach up to 28 miles per hour (45 kilometers per hour), but only for short bursts. Their usual cruising speed is eight miles per hour (13 kilometers per hour). The sharks use this advantage to get as far from the orcas as possible. Have There Been Fights Between Orca Killer Whales and Great White Sharks? There have been reports of mutilated great whites washing up on shore with their livers missing as a result of orca killer whale attacks. The case that triggered the most curiosity was a 2017 incident when the bodies of five sharks were discovered on the beaches of Western Cape Province in South Africa. The size of the sharks varied from 9 to 16 feet (2.7 to 4.9 meters) long. There were large puncture marks on each shark, near their pectoral fins (the fins located next to the gills on each side). They were all missing their livers, so the killers must have known exactly what they were going for. The scientists working on the case determined that only one predator is capable of mutilating great white sharks in such a manner. It would seem orca killer whales have developed a method for killing great whites without getting harmed. The San Francisco Incident In 1997, an orca was seen attacking a great white just off the San Francisco coast. The attack started with a fast and forceful blow that stunned the shark. The whale used the opportunity to flip the shark over and hold it in such a position. The great white wasn’t able to move because it suffered from a condition called “tonic immobility.” If they’re held upside-down in water, they become paralyzed and can’t move or breathe. What the orca did was essentially suffocating the shark before consuming it. That was one, prominent case of a killer whale attacking a great white, but such hunts occur regularly in the oceanic depths. Orca hunting tactics and intelligence empower them to launch coordinated attacks in groups, like a pack of wolves. Why Do Killer Whales Attack Sharks? Orcas attack great white sharks for the same reason they usually attack any prey—for food. Orcas are a scale higher on the food chain. Any sea animal that has a body rich with fat is potential prey for killer whales. Most of a great white shark’s body is made of stuff that is unappealing to the orca as a meal, but certain parts are a delight. When the whales hunt great hunts, they make surgical bites on their bodies. Their favorite parts are the livers, stomachs, and testes. Considering that the liver of sharks contains high quantities of oils and fats, it’s little surprise that the orcas seek it out hungrily. White sharks have a very large liver compared to other species, and the whale sees it as a good source of a quick caloric snack. How fascinating is it that orcas have learned all of this and attack sharks specifically and solely for their livers? Orca Whales and Sharks in the Past and Now There have been many encounters between the two species. It’s even possible that the great white used to be an integral part of orca’s diet in the ancient past. In recent years, the attacks have become more and more frequent. The increasing frequency of orcas preying on great whites probably results from newly implemented fishing restrictions positively affecting the shark population. Also, the earth’s changing climate has expanded the possible living areas of sharks, so the animals are moving to new environments. Orcas and great whites are simply in each other’s faces more often than they were before. At the same time, killer whales are losing some of their common food sources and are looking for new alternative sources, including the great white shark. What’s the Great White Shark Known For? The great white shark, though seeming like the scariest and most aggressive predator in the sea, is actually most often a …

Animals

Sharks When the Titanic Sank: Were There?

Here’s whether there were sharks when the Titanic sank: Sharks may have been in the ocean when the Titanic sank, but none of the survivors reported seeing them. Sharks are very sensitive to sounds and vibrations. Sometimes they move closer to investigate, sometimes they flee. If you want to learn all about the appearance of sharks when the Titanic sank, then you’re in the right place. Let’s get started! Were There Sharks When the Titanic Sank? Theoretically, there could have been sharks in the ocean when the Titanic sank, but none of the survivors reported seeing them. Sharks are very sensitive to sounds and vibrations. They sometimes move closer to investigate and other times turn to flee. The ruckus produced by the ship crashing into the iceberg would have been sensed by the majority of marine life for miles away. One animal that’s unafraid to inspect anything is the orca, also known as the “killer whale.” They live in all oceans and most water temperatures. There isn’t any evidence that Orca Whales were at the disaster site. If there were orcas present, then sharks wouldn’t have been there because sharks won’t go near orcas, which are their predators. Were There Shark-Related Incidents When the Titanic Sank? There were no known shark attacks on Titanic survivors. None of the survivors reported shark-related incidents. However, we have to consider the fact that the people responsible for the lifeboats kept the survivors away from the people in the water. If the lifeboat personnel were far away, they could have missed seeing a shark attack. Only the people in the water could have been shark victims. A shark won’t attack a boat. It might, at most, give it a bump to test it. The people rescued from the water were hypothermic. It’s possible that while being in the water in nearly comatose states, they didn’t notice other people being dragged under. Even if they saw such horrors, they might not have remembered them later because of their trauma. None of the corpses pulled from the water showed any signs of shark bites on them. However, most of the corpses were never found. Low Impact Attacks If any attacks occurred, they were low-impact attacks by Greenland sharks. These sharks have black coloration and move very slowly, so it would be hard to notice them even though they are as big as great white sharks. Low-impact attacks mean that the shark will get close to a target and bump it. If there is no response (the target is dead or unconscious), the shark will drag the body under. But if the target kicks back, the shark will swim away. Were There Any Shark-Attack Survivors From the Titanic? No survivors of the Titanic claimed to be attacked by a shark. There is no evidence of sharks attacking people in the water after the ship sank. Sharks Don’t Like Human Flesh If a shark bites a human, it’s only to test whether the prey suits its taste. Sharks usually discontinue their attacks on humans because they didn’t like the way humans taste. The only shark species that likes human flesh is the bull shark. It lives in areas of the Atlantic Ocean stretching from Massachusetts to southern Brazil. Scavenging Corpses The only likely scenario where sharks may have mutilated victims of the Titanic is one in which they scavenged corpses from the seabed. The Titanic sank in Greenland shark habitat, and Greenland sharks are a completely opportunistic shark species. Such a plentitude of dead bodies in the water would draw sharks from miles away. The longest living animal on the planet, Greenland sharks can reach 400 years of age. If the scavenging scenario is true, there are probably still living Greenland sharks that fed on Titanic victims stranded in the Atlantic Ocean. Cases of Shark Attacks After a Shipwreck The most famous case of shark attacks following a shipwreck is the 1945 Indianapolis incident. The Indianapolis was a United States naval ship sunk by the Japanese during World War II. After being hit by two submarine torpedoes, the Indianapolis sunk in the Pacific Ocean in just 12 minutes. Of the 1196 people on board, only 900 made it alive into the water. What they thought was their lucky day was just the beginning of the worst shark nightmare in history. As time passed, the survivors formed groups and held onto objects and bobbing corpses to stay afloat. The explosion and the blood in the water drew many shark species, among which was the aggressive species known as the oceanic whitetip shark. The sharks were mainly focused on the floating dead, but there were also survivors with open wounds that attracted more of the predators. When the sailors noticed someone was injured or bleeding, they tried to quarantine themselves and swim away. Survivors pushed the dead away as a form of sacrifice. One group of sailors made the mistake of opening a can of Spam. The strong scent of meat drew the predators nearer, so the sailors threw the Spam away to avoid being swarmed. The sharks fed on the dead for days while the survivors watched helplessly. Most of the people were paralyzed by fear that went on for days because there wasn’t any sign of a rescue. Many people died out of thirst or sat poisoning when they succumbed to thirst and drank seawater. After 4 days, only 317 survivors were left to be rescued. Between 50 and 150 people died as a result of shark attacks. There’s no way to know the exact number of victims, but the Indianapolis remains one of the most horrific shark-related incidents in history. Where Was the Titanic Going? The Titanic was on its maiden voyage from Southampton (England) to New York City (USA). The ship set sail on April 10, 1912, and first arrived at Cherbourg docks in France. The last European stop was Queenstown, Ireland. On the afternoon of April 11, the ship headed toward the new continent. …

Animals

Shark vs. Crocodile: Who Wins in a Fight?

Here’s whether a shark or a crocodile wins in a fight: A great white shark may take more than one hit and a lot of biting to beat a crocodile, but eventually, the great white shark will win. Sharks species smaller than a great white easily lose to crocodiles. The shark is always the prey when crocodiles and small sharks fight in shallow waters. If you want to learn all about who wins in a fight between a shark and a crocodile, then you’re in the right place. Keep reading! Who Wins in a Fight Between a Shark and a Crocodile? The only place where the great white shark and the saltwater crocodile can meet is the open water. This is the natural habitat of the great white shark and gives them a maneuvering advantage over the slower saltwater Croc. It would take multiple hits and a lot of biting to beat the crocodile, but eventually, the shark would probably win. If it’s any other species of sharks smaller than the great white, the crocodile would easily take the win home. Fights between crocodiles and small sharks sometimes happen in shallow waters, and in this case, the shark is always the prey. It’s a bit different with great whites since they are rare and can only be found in deep waters. Sharks can swim with 25 mph (40 km/h) speed in long bursts, while crocodiles can get to 18 mph (29 km/h) but get easily tired. That’s where the main advantage for the great white shark over the saltwater crocodile lies. Who Has a Stronger Bite: A Shark or a Crocodile? The great white shark does have a huge jaw, but as a result of its diet, it doesn’t have the strongest bite amongst all shark species. It’s a lot easier to bite through a seal (great white prey) than through the shells of a turtle (tiger shark prey). The world’s most ferocious jaws, belonging to the saltwater crocodile, can snap with a force of 4000 lbs (2 tons). The White Shark has a bite force of only 2200 lbs (1.1 tons). It’s not a joke when this shark bites you but compared to the crocodile, they seem toothless. The jaw size of the shark is wide enough to bite any part of a crocodile, but it lacks the force and proper teeth to do serious damage. Although a crocodile can bite-crush almost anything, his mouth is simply not big enough for a great white shark. Different Types of Teeth Since they feed on different types of animals, it’s no surprise that sharks and crocodiles have different teeth shapes. Crocs hunt prey that is larger and with stronger skin and bones, so they need teeth rigid enough to devour their victims. White sharks don’t need to crunch the bones of the things they hunt and go for biting rather than squeezing with huge pressure. A shark’s teeth look like a saw, and they are a few rows of spare ones behind each front tooth. It’s not rare for sharks to lose and replace teeth during a struggle. Who Will Participate in a Shark vs. Crocodile Fight? The family Crocodylidae or True Crocodiles numbers 14 animal species. As part of the order Crocodilia, the family has caimans, alligators, and caimans as their closest cousins. The largest of them all is the one who is going to be picked for the Shark vs. Crocodile fight. The saltwater crocodile is the largest living reptile, and this ancient being is also the one causing most human deaths compared to others of its family. There are more than 1000 shark and ray species, and new ones are discovered each year. If we want to pick the contender for this epic fight we will probably go with the biggest shark of them all, correct? Well, not quite! The whale shark is the biggest fish in the world but doesn’t participate in fights. Its megamouth serves as a filter feeder to swallow anything coming its way (possibly a crocodile even). The real shark fighter and the one with the most recorded attacks on humans is the great white shark. It’s the 6th largest shark species, and the only one coming near its ferocity, strength, and size is the tiger shark (4th largest). Characteristics of the Great White Shark Legendary for being one of the fiercest predators, the great white shark caused admiration and fear in people for many years. This cartilaginous fish is probably causing more harm in people’s imagination than in real life. While humans fear the great white shark expressly and consider it a man-eating predator, this powerful and efficient hunter never had a preference for people. Attacks happen when the shark is confused or just wants to taste the moving object. When a great white shark wants to attack, the opening of its mouth can be 3 to 4 ft (1-1.2 m) wide. The top of the great white shark is darker in blue of gray variations, while the lower area of the body is white. Such discoloration is a hunting advantage because prey doesn’t notice the shark’s figure, and to them, it looks like the bottom of the ocean. White Shark Body Strength A great white shark has a fusiform and robust body. That means it’s shaped like a spindle and big and strong at the same time. Adult sharks can be 13-22 ft (4-6.7 m) long with an average length of 19 ft (5.8 m). Their weight can be somewhere between 6600 and 7500 lbs (3000-3400 kg). The adult male great white sharks are approximately 6.5 ft (2 m) smaller than their representative females. Strong pectoral fins and a triangle-shaped back fin are placed behind its narrow and pointed snout. There is a smaller fin near the tail which ends with long lower and upper lobes. Whiteys have delicate skin that cannot withstand huge penetrating forces, which puts them in an inferior position compared to crocodiles. Characteristics of the saltwater …

Animals

Tiger vs. Panther: Who Wins in a Fight?

Here’s who wins in a fight between a tiger and a panther: The tiger will win almost any fight with a panther. The panther is much smaller than a tiger, and the tiger is more massive. Usually, however, greater size comes at the cost of less maneuverability. Tigers, however, are unique in the sense that their size does not hamper their agility. If you want to learn all about who wins in a fight between a tiger and a panther and why so, then you’re in the right place. Let’s jump right in! What Happens When a Tiger and a Panther Fight? The seven big cats form the ruling elite of the wild: African lion Bengal tiger Jaguar Leopard Mountain lion Ocelot Siberian tiger They mostly coexist in the wild without any serious collisions. They are powerful and extremely agile creatures. The innocent grass eaters are their usual victims. So does being a big cat mean immunity from any sort of danger? Who can threaten these savages of the wild? An old saying goes, “only iron can cut iron.” The giants of the world, such as elephants, giraffes, and rhinoceros, can beat big cats in a fight, but they usually don’t attack them first. Only a big cat can fight the other on totally equal footing. So, what would happen when the largest of the big cats (the tiger) decides to assert its dominance and subdue one of its deadly colleagues (the panther)? The tiger is well-known for subduing silverback gorillas and grizzly bears, but can it crush a fellow feline? To answer this, an introduction of both these predators is necessary. Who Is the Tiger (Panthera Tigris)? These beautiful, muscular, and impressive animals are the most savage hunters of the wild. Do you remember school day visits to wildlife zoos? These majestic and beautiful wild cats usually attract more people than the other animals. Truly speaking, tigers are at the apex of strength, beauty, courage, and ferocity. They possess enormous strengths, which make them supreme hunters. Subspecies of Tigers Tigers inhabit various regions of the globe. The tigers living in each region develop different features according to the requirements of their geographical area. Consequently, at least 9 regional subspecies of the tigers are described in the literature. Furthermore, they have marked variations in size, with the Sumatran tigers being the smallest and the Siberian tigers being the largest ones. In literature, the Bengal tigers and the Siberian tigers are the most commonly mentioned subspecies. For the sake of avoiding confusion, we will discuss the medium-sized Bengal tigers. Size of Tigers These tigers have a shoulder height of 34-45 in (86-114 cm) and a body length of 5 ft 3 in (1.6 m) to 6 ft 3 in (1.9 m). The average weight of the adult male is 441-557 lbs (200-261 kg), while the adult females average at 256-362 lbs (116-164 kg). The captives in zoos can go even higher. Habitat and Diet of Tigers Tigers have a wide range of geographical distribution but are normally found in rain forests, savannah, grasslands, and even the swamps of Bengal. They prefer a habitat that has an abundant supply of fresh water and dense green vegetation. The dense vegetation means prey is abundant for them, like large ungulates and hoofed animals in particular. They are courageous creatures and can attack and kill much larger animals, like rhinoceros, elephant calves, and crocodiles. Razor-Sharp Claws of Tigers Have you ever seen a tiger fighting? Recall their fighting style. They attack their victims with front claws and grasp their necks with sharp canine teeth, suffocating them to death. Their paws are blessed with four massive and sharp claws (the frontal paws have an additional dewclaw). These claws are razor sharp and are 4 in (10 cm) long. The prey is doomed if it comes into contact with these claws. Social and Hunting Behavior of Tigers Unlike the extremely social lions, which attack and prey in their pride, tigers are solitary hunters. Obviously, they don’t like to share their spoils with anyone. This is a disadvantage when the tiger is facing large animals like elephants. However, there is something unique in the fighting style of the tiger. It likes to stand on its hind legs and uses its deadly frontal claws to attack the victims. Their bite force of 1050 PSI is also devastating and can dismantle prey easily. The average strength of a human bite is 162 PSI. Night Vision of Tigers Tigers are better hunters at night. Their night vision is almost 6 times higher than humans. A structure called tapetum lucidum is responsible for their night vision. The excellent night vision enables them to hunt down the isolated elephant calves, easy victims in the darkness. The sneak attack enables them to ambush the almost unaware victim. Amphibious Assault Capability of Tigers Tigers are good swimmers, and unlike the Asiatic lions, they don’t hate the water and can chase their prey in the water. Due to this ability, even fearsome hunters of the shores like crocodiles are themselves under threat. A hungry tiger can go in the water and dine on a crocodile without any hesitation. Jumping Ability and Speed of Tigers The long and powerful hind legs and a flexible spine allow them to jump up to 33 ft (10 m) forward in a single leap. In addition, they can jump up to 16 ft (5 m) up. Being the largest doesn’t mean being the fastest, though. They are way faster than a lion but considerably slower than a cheetah, with an average speed of 35-40 mph (56-64 kph). Who Is the Panther (Panthera Pardus)? The panther is a lightweight version of the tiger. A panther is not a separate animal species from a tiger. Instead, it is a black-coated version of leopard (Panthera pardus) or jaguar (Panthera onca). Why are they black? The darkness of color is related to the production of a colored compound called melanin in the body. More melanin …

Animals

Shark vs. Lion: Who Is More Dangerous?

Here’s whether a shark or a lion is more dangerous: Lions are far more dangerous to humans than sharks. Thousands of people have been killed by lions in the past decade. A shark attack might happen occasionally, but they are not always lethal. After one bite, a shark will usually swim away after scaring an opponent off. A lion will not back off from an attack. So if you want to learn all about whether a shark or a lion is more dangerous, then you’re in the right place. Let’s get started! Who Is More Dangerous, a Shark or a Lion? A Lion is far more dangerous for humans than any shark out there. Thousands of people have been killed by lions in the past decade. An occasional shark attack might happen from time to time, but they are not always lethal. Lions are not only dangerous for humans but other animals and predators too. It’s hard comparing the physical characteristics of both animal species because their biology and habitats are completely different. What we can compare is their behavior around other living beings. Sharks are fearful and don’t like getting in trouble when there is no need to, while lions are brave and proud, so they are a lot more likely to attack. When a shark does attack, it is to scare off the opponent and, after a single bite, it will probably swim away. There is no backing off for an attacking lion. So when it decides to kill, it’s almost impossible to be saved. Who Would Win in a Lion vs. Shark Fight? If this type of fight were possible, the place where the fight would take place would pretty much be the only factor in the outcome. A shark would beat any lion when the fight takes place in the sea, and a lion would always dominate the land against any shark. It sounds silly, but these are their biggest and most obvious attributes. Why Do Lions Attack Humans? While lions do not find human flesh as particularly tasty, they might see us as prey if given the chance. You have to understand that all big cats are apex predators and that nothing is safe around them. There are many reasons why a lion might attack a human. The most obvious reason why a lion might decide to start hunting people is hunger. Lionesses with cubs see people as something that might harm their babies, so they react to the presence of intruders by attacking. An injured lion can also feel threatened by human presence and try to defend himself by attacking. How Does a Lion Become a Man-Eater? Attacks due to lack of food or one’s injured self is a situational behavior – a man-eating lion is already a pattern of hunting behavior. If the situations repeat, they can contribute to the development of a man-eater. The most important reason why a lion becomes a man-eater is disrupted health. Older and debilitated lions aren’t strong enough or fast enough to hunt their usual prey. They perceive humans as easier prey and can begin to hunt them. Dental diseases are among the top health issues that can drive a lion mad in some way. Although they use their paws a lot to give fatal blows to victims, they still need their teeth and jaws to finish a victim. Chronic toothache might restrain them from going after the big game and focus on something not so tasty but easy to kill – us. One theory suggests that a small population of lions starts feeding on people as a way to supplement their diet, but this simply cannot be confirmed for now. Scientists believe that enriching their diet with human flesh is what produced the infamous man-eaters of Tsavo. Why Do Sharks Attack Humans? As people aren’t part of a shark’s natural diet, most of these animals are not dangerous to people but have some potential to become such. They attack humans when they are either curious or confused. When they see something splashing in the water, sharks go to investigate the area, which can lead to an accidental attack. There are more than 300 species of sharks swimming in the seas and oceans. Only about a dozen of shark species have been involved in human attacks. They fear people and usually don’t want anything to do with them. On the other hand, people hunt sharks for meat, skin, fins, organs, etc. Types of Shark Attack There are two main types of shark attacks: Unprovoked shark attacks Provoked shark attacks Unprovoked attacks are incidents that occur in the natural habitat of the shark. The humans involved in the incidents get bitten without provoking such behavior. When the human starts interacting with the shark in some way and thus provokes an aggressive reaction from the animal, that’s categorized as a provoked shark attack. These are bites when a diver tries to touch a shark, feed a shark, or in situations when the person is spearfishing or trying to remove a shark from a net. A special type of attack is when sharks deliberately attack marine vessels, both motorized and non-motorized. But in some cases, you can’t see whether it’s a shark or some other sea animal and can’t attribute the attacks to them. A Shark’s Diet A shark’s diet consists of eating invertebrates and smaller fish. They are the usual opportunistic feeder, which means they become adapted to a variety of prey wherever they forage. Larger sharks feed on marine mammals, seals, sea lions, but their opportunistic character never makes them see people as prey. Can a Shark Become a Man-Eater? No, a shark cannot become a man-eater because it’s not a predator. It’s a scavenger. Even if it accidentally gets a piece of human flesh inside its mouth, it will likely spit it out with disgust. Can You Survive a Lion Attack? There is a tiny possibility to survive a lion attack if you react appropriately and if you are …

Animals

Siberian Tiger vs. Polar Bear: Who Wins in a Fight?

Here’s who wins in a fight between a Siberian tiger and a polar bear: The bear is at an advantage in terms of power, jaw strength, and skin thickness. The tiger, however, is the best of all in terms of speed, maneuverability, hunting experience, and behavior. In a fight between a polar bear and a Siberian tiger, the tiger may have an edge. If you want to learn all about who wins in a fight between a Siberian tiger and a polar bear, then you’re in the right place. Let’s jump right! Fight Between a Siberian Tiger and a Polar Bear? Ever heard the name “Amur tiger,” “Manchurian tiger” (not chicken-Manchurian), “Korean tiger,” or Ussurian tiger? These are synonyms for the Siberian tiger, Panthera tigris, the largest of all tigers and the largest of all cats. Named after the 10th longest river in the world (Amur River), Siberian tigers are the remnants of their closest genetic cousins, the Caspian tigers, which have gone extinct. Now imagine that the largest of the cats has to fight with the largest of the bears, the mighty polar bear, obviously not in the boxing ring, but till death as both the combatants are the apex predators and lie at the top of their respective food chains. Who will win this deadly fight is an obvious question that needs a logical answer. Before getting into the details of the fight between the Siberian tiger and polar bear, let us know both animals. What Are the Habitats of Siberian Tigers and Polar Bears? Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) are an endangered subspecies of tigers with less than a thousand Siberian tigers left in Southern Russia, Northern parts of China, and some parts of North Korea. Their habitat is a beautiful merger of two forest types; temperate broadleaf and mixed forest and Taiga, characterized by a variety of trees, small and large peaks, and many different types of prey animals along with a minimum influence by humans. Polar bears are found on and around the Arctic ring of life in the US, Canada, Russia, and some islands of Norway. Polar bears are actually sea mammals as they spend most of their lives on the sea ice and depend primarily on the frozen layers of the ice for their favorite food; seals. Although they travel on land, they spend most of their lives dwelling on the frozen sea ice, looking for their prey. It is also noteworthy that polar bears have diverged from populations of brown bears separated from the rest of the brown bears in eastern Siberia. What Are the Physical Features of Siberian Tigers and Polar Bears? There is no easy comparison between Siberian tigers and polar bears concerning physical features except that both are exclusively carnivores. Their bodies are adapted to digest only meat. Size of a Siberian Tiger and Polar Bear Siberian tigers are the heaviest of all big cats, and their weights range between 397-674 lbs (180-306 kg) for males and 220-368 lbs (100-167 kg) for females. The body length of the Siberian tiger is 77 inches (195 cm), and 69 inches (175 cm) for males and females, respectively, excluding the tail of 99 cm and shoulder height is 30-42 inches (76-106 cm). Polar bears are bulky and have twice the size of Siberian tigers. Adult male polar bear weighs 772-1543 lbs (350-700 kg), and total body length is about 94-118 inches (239-300 cm). Even the adult female polar bears weighing 331-551 lbs (150-250 kg) and longing 71-94 inches (180-239 cm), almost half of their male counterparts, are heavier and larger than adult Siberian tigers. Shape of a Siberian Tiger and Polar Bear Siberian tigers have beautiful, lean, and stout builds. They have broad skulls of 13-15 inches (33- 38 cm) and wide jaws. The whiskers and long fur around the face and neck make it even wider and broader. Moreover, the other prominences of the face and skull appear greater than all other big cats. The female is smaller and shorter than the male. Tigers have fewer (only 30) but stronger teeth, and their canines are 2.5-3 inches (6.35-7.6 cm) in length. Polar bears have bulky builds, long narrow skulls to help catch seals, stocky legs, small ears, and a very short tail. Their feet are adapted to swimming and walking on slippery ice. They can use their front paws as paddles and back legs as a rudder, and their feet are slightly webbed to help them propel the water. Their claws are stocky, thick, non-retractile, and curved to dig in the ice and hold their bulky prey. Also, their feet have papillae (projections) that create friction on the ice. Polar bears have 42 teeth, and their canines are larger than Siberian tigers. They have a thick layer (up to 4 inches or 10 cm) of fatty deposits in their hides to provide insulation. Colors and Pattern of a Siberian Tiger and Polar Bear The fur color of the Siberian tiger is a pale yellow to rusty color and varies according to the seasonal temperature. They have a moderately thick double layer of fur, coarse during summer and soft and long during winter. Siberian tigers have dark brown to black vertical stripes, which are specific to each tiger. The polar bear also has a double layer of fur, a thick undercoat, and long guard hair above that are transparent and appear white that turns yellow with age. They have dark skin that can be seen only at the nose and absorbs light to keep them warm in a freezing icy environment. The hairs on the forelegs are exceptionally long and give a bulky appearance. Diet of a Siberian Tiger and Polar Bear Both Siberian tigers and Polar bears are exclusive carnivores and are apex predators of their respective food chains, but their chains are different. Siberian tigers prey upon various animals in their niche, from large animals such as wapiti, musk deer, and wild boar to smaller ones like hares, …

Animals

Lion vs. Tiger: Who Is More Dangerous?

Here’s whether a lion or a tiger is more dangerous: Lions tend to be lazy and won’t engage in a confrontation unless there’s a really good reason. Tigers are more active, more muscled, and have more agility than the king of the jungle, the lion. That’s what makes tigers more dangerous than Lions. If you want to learn all about why tigers are more dangerous than lions, then this article is for you. Keep reading! Is a Lion or a Tiger More Dangerous? Tigers and lions are some of the most ferocious animal species. There are significant differences in the fighting force between them. Tigers are more active, more muscular, and have enhanced agility compared to the king of the jungle. That’s what makes them superior in one-on-one combat. Lions are rather lazy and won’t get into confrontation without a strong reason for that. The naturally more aggressive tiger poses a greater danger to other animals and humans. Lions fight as a group, so 3 or more males would have a significant advantage against a lone tiger. Who Would Win in a Fight Between a Lion and a Tiger? The outcome of a lion vs. tiger battle will depend on many individual factors. Even if the scientific evidence suggests that tigers are stronger, you must also consider the animal’s age, breed, physiology, and fighting style. All of us have been taught that the undisputed king of the jungle is the lion which probably suggests he is unmatched by any other contender. That theory is wrong the same way the common belief that lions are living in the jungle is (lions inhabit plains and grasslands). What Are the Fighting Advantages of Lions and Tigers? Lions are fighters from birth. They play many battle games while growing up with other small lions and spend most of their lives battling opponents that want to take over their pride (pride is a family of lions). Frequent clashes make them experienced fighters. Solitary tigers have a major advantage in means of agility and flexibility. They can climb trees and even swim in fast-flowing rivers where they catch tortoises and fish (occasionally an alligator). With excellent eyesight, their victims are equally vulnerable during day or night. Many experiments that involve individual comparison of behavior and strength in the different settings have been performed to answer the enigma of this big cat battle. How About Those Ancient Cage Battles Between Lions and Tigers? Today it’s unacceptable to abuse animals for human entertainment purposes, but in the past, tigers and lions were often pitted against each other in fighting arenas. The Colosseum in ancient Rome was one of the places where lions engaged in fierce battles with tigers. From what I have presented so far, it is no surprise that the usual victors were the tigers, but occasionally a lion would win. Gunga was the name of a Bengal tiger owned by the Indian Emperor of Awadh. Held in captivity in London, Gunga was often put to the test against lions and killed more than 30 of them. It took only 10 minutes for him to finish the opponent. From the more recent clashes, the incident at the Ankara Zoo in Turkey must be mentioned. Finding a gap in the fence, a tiger went inside the lion’s den. It took just one stroke, a single paw swipe for the tiger to severely damage the opponent’s jugular veins and kill him on the spot. Who Is the Barbary Lion? An Indian prince named Gaekwad organized a fight during the 19th century between a Barbary Lion and a Bengal Tiger, placing a sizeable bet of what is today 1 million dollars for the lion to win. He lost a lot of money that day. A rare individual was a famous Barbary lion named Juno. He was put to the test with many tigers, and it is said that he killed as many as 13 opponents. This species of lions are extinct nowadays. They were larger than the African lions and had a dark mane. Are Lions or Tigers More Dangerous to Humans? It’s estimated that approximately 373.000 people were killed by tigers between the years 1800 and 2009. That’s an average of 1800 tiger-attack deaths per year. Most of these human-tiger conflicts that ended tragically happened in India and Southeast Asia. Tigers have claimed more human lives than any other species of wild cats. A tiger will decide to attack if the human sneaks in on him, when he is interrupted while eating or when a tigress wants to protect the cubs. They can also mistake the human with some prey and attack. Around 200 people are killed by lions annually. That’s a large number, considering that humans aren’t a lion’s natural prey. Even when a lion goes for humans, it will take time for him to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of the action he is about to perform. His highly developed predator-prey dynamics is what prevents him from attacking tourists in open vehicles. The lion sees the vehicle as something too big to attack and too cheesy to be a threat, so the animal decides to lay low. Are Lions or Tiger Man-Eaters? Tigers can change their natural diet due to few reasons and become man-eaters. Humans are easy prey, and incapacitated tigers that were previously injured may start hunting people. Any type of injury/health problem that makes a tiger vulnerable can make him chase humans that can be easily overpowered. Lions can become man-eaters for the same reason as tigers. The most notorious pair of African lions was the reason for the man-slaughter in Tsavo, Kenya. They terrorized the railroad construction workers and killed 35 of them. However, one different thing is that some lions attack and eat humans to supplement their diet. Scientists still can’t figure out how consuming human flesh and bones enriches their daily intake of nutrients. What Are the Physical Differences Between Lions and Tigers? Tigers are the largest representatives of the feline family, …