Ancient Whale Had a Killer Bone-Breaking Bite

Plants and Animals





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Stress distribution in Basilosaurus isis biting on its upper third premolar / 2015 Snively et al.

Researchers studying the bite marks left behind on a fractured fossil skull have calculated the incredible bone-crushing bite of an ancient whale: Basilosaurus isis chomped down on other whales with the force of over 1,600 kilograms (3,500 pounds). The findings were published in PLOS ONE this week.