Some animals possess such strength that humans can only dream of. Physical strength can be defined in different ways: some can lift or pull objects of incredibly large weight. Some animals are considered the strongest in the world relative to their size and weight.
Elephant
African elephants are the largest and strongest animals in the world. They can carry a load of up to 9 tons, although they only weigh 6.3 tons. Their Indian relatives can also lift multi-ton weights. In addition, elephants have high intelligence: they experience emotions, recognize themselves in the mirror, and use tools. Elephants have their own burial ritual. Elephants pick up and carry their newborn calves with their trunks, weighing no less than 100 kg.
Tiger
A tiger weighs up to 550 kg. It can lift weights twice its own weight and even drag prey up a tree. The famous predator from the feline family has beautiful stripes. It is listed in the Red Book, and hunting tigers is prohibited in all countries of the world.
Musk Ox
The musk ox, has thick, long, warm wool. This animal moves easily and gracefully even on steep slopes. The height at the withers is approximately 138 cm, and the body length varies from 190-240 (females) to 210-260 cm (males). Musk oxen weigh about 300-350 kg, but those living in captivity can gain weight up to 650 kg. This animal can lift and carry up to 900 kg.
Grizzly Bear
The large North American predator is famous for its strength. Especially strong are the bears living near the coast. A grizzly can lift a load equal to the weight of its own body - about 450-500 kg. This is the strongest bear.
Gorilla
Gorillas are the largest primates. They live in the forests of the equatorial part of Africa. The height of these monkeys is comparable to human height - about 1.65-1.75 m. Females weigh about 75 kg, and males - over 200 kg. Despite their rather modest size, gorillas can lift and carry weights of up to 2 tons, such as fallen trees. In the Guinness Book of Records, a gorilla is mentioned that lifted a weight of 815 kg. On average, a male gorilla is about 4-9 times stronger than a human.
Eagle
In flight, an eagle can grab and hold a load that is 4 times heavier than its own body. The wingspan of this bird reaches 2.4 m, but the body length does not exceed 75-88 cm. Eagles live on almost all continents and nest in tall trees and rocks. Some species of eagles are listed in the Red Book because their numbers are decreasing.
Harpy Eagle
Another powerful bird is the South American harpy eagle, which, like eagles, belongs to the family of hawks. Females are slightly larger than males. On average, these birds weigh about 4-9 kg, their body length is 90-110 cm, and the wingspan is about 2 m. Harpy eagles live in the tropical forests of South and Central America. It is known that this predatory bird killed and carried away a howler monkey weighing 7 kg.
Saltwater Crocodile
The most powerful reptile is the saltwater crocodile, which inhabits saltwater, as well as swamps, river deltas. It is the largest member of the crocodile family. It is considered the largest terrestrial predator: the weight reaches 2 tons, and the body length is 7 meters. Males are much larger than females. Saltwater crocodiles live in India, Indonesia, Vietnam, New Guinea, and Australia. The bite force of this reptile reaches 2809-3512 kg. This is the most powerful and dangerous bite that the animal can inflict.
Anaconda
Among snakes, the strongest is considered to be the anaconda, capable of killing and swallowing prey the size of itself. An anaconda weighs up to 70 kg and reaches a length of 6 meters. Its bite is not poisonous, although this snake can quickly kill prey by swallowing it or crushing it with its body.
Copepod
One of the strongest representatives of the animal world turned out to be a tiny crustacean, whose body length does not exceed 1-3 mm. This is a copepod or crustacean. They have extremely strong muscles, which allow copepods to swim and jump swiftly. In 1 second, a copepod covers a distance 500 times the length of its body. Scientists believe that copepods are about 10 times stronger than all other animals on the planet. The subclass of copepods includes both free individuals and parasites. Free copepods live in water, feeding on algae, detritus, and bacteria. Parasitic copepods live on the bodies of many crustaceans, worms, mollusks, fish, amphibians, mammals, and coral polyps. Copepods are eaten by jellyfish, baleen whales, copepods, and most fish, including aquarium fish. Many copepods glow in the dark.
Dung Beetle
Surprisingly, the small dung beetle is not only the strongest insect but also the strongest animal in the world relative to its weight. It can lift objects 1141 times heavier than its own body. For comparison: such a strong beetle can be compared to a human weighing 80 kg but able to lift weights of 90 tons.
Rhinoceros Beetle
Another strong insect is the rhinoceros beetle, which can carry a load 850 times heavier than itself. If a human had such colossal strength, he could lift weights of 65 tons. This beautiful beetle has attracted people's attention since ancient times. Archaeologists have found terracotta figurines representing the rhinoceros beetle, dated to around 2000-1600 BC and belonging to the period of the Minoan-Mycenaean civilization. It is depicted in paintings and postage stamps. The rhinoceros beetle is now on the verge of extinction, so it is listed in the Red Book in many countries.
Leafcutter Ant
Ants are known hard workers. In their jaws, the leafcutter ant can hold and drag items weighing 500 mg - 50 times more than the weight of the ant. Other ants also keep up with the leafcutter tribe, capable of carrying items 20 times heavier than their own body.
These are the most famous strongmen among the animal kingdom. Almost all large animals are very strong: leopards, jaguars, hippos, hyenas, polar bears.
