Apex predators are some of the biggest, strongest, and fastest species of the animal kingdom, whose fearsome reputations place them at the top of the food chain. These animals have no natural predators to worry about and help keep the population balance of other species lower down in the food chain.
Discover some of the world's top apex predators and the characteristics that led them to earn this title. And learn whether we are the Earth's foremost apex predator or no predator at all.
Apex Predators: Animals Atop the Food Chain
The word "apex" is derived from the Latin word, meaning "the tip, summit or peak." The definition of an apex predator is a top predator with no natural predators within its ecosystem that dominates its food chain by preying on other animal species. They are responsible for controlling populations of prey animals and preventing them from overgrazing.
Apex predators are often large, powerful carnivores that dominate their ecosystems by preying on all other animal species. They have no natural predators and can be found on every continent worldwide. These animals - also known as keystone species - significantly impact their ecosystem, helping maintain balance.
There are many examples of keystone species in nature, including wolves and bears that help to keep prey populations under control.
Trophic cascades are the idea that there is a chain of predators and prey in an ecosystem, and when one species is removed from the chain, it can cause a series of changes throughout the ecosystem. The removal of an apex predator species can lead to more resources for another species, which may lead to an increase in population size. This leads to changes in other populations and communities, which could result in trophic cascades.
What Is the Top Apex Predator on Land?
The title of "Top Terrestrial Apex Predator" is undefined and hotly contested as there is a different apex predator for each environment. Because they live in different regions of the world, these animals don't cross paths with one another, so it's hard to say which would be the ultimate predator.
In the Arctic, (and despite climate change) polar bears are apex predators because they are at the top of the food chain and have no natural predators. A primary factor in this status is their size, with the average male weighing over half a ton. Many land creatures are too fast for this fearsome beast to catch, so they feast primarily on ocean creatures such as seals (and sometimes beluga whales).
To capture these creatures, the polar bear creates a breathing hole, then snatches any prey that comes to the surface for air. Polar bears have no natural predators but still face a significant threat from human activity, which decimates their habitats.
In the African Savannah, the lion reigns supreme. Often termed the "king of the jungle," these fearsome predators can grow to a length of eight feet and weigh up to 550 pounds. These big cats don't have any predators to worry about, but they still work hard to secure prey. Being an apex predator doesn't mean they have the most successful kill rate; a solo lion hunting during the daytime can have a successful kill rate as low as 19%. Still, their cooperative hunting practices allow lions to take down large prey such as giraffes, hippos, and buffalo.
And in North America, the dangerous grizzly bear is one of the greatest apex predators. Interestingly, grizzlies are primarily vegetarian, but they are powerful hunters with a sense of smell stronger than a dog. Reaching speeds of 34 miles per hour means they can take down prey like deer and elk, while three-inch claws help them to dig rodents out of the ground. Grizzly bears generally avoid humans but can attack in defense of their young. They may also attack if disturbed during hibernation.
What Is the Top Apex Predator of the Ocean?
If you think about the most fearsome creature in the ocean, images of the great white shark no doubt come to mind. These fearsome beasts are a force to be reckoned with; they grow to a length of 20 feet and possess a bite force of up to 4,000 pounds per square inch (PSI). Still, they are not apex predators because they are prey to one of the largest animals in the ocean.
Orcas - otherwise known as killer whales - can grow up to 32 feet and make the 5,000-pound mass of the shark seem "light" compared to their weight of up to 22,000 pounds. Not only do they have a size advantage over sharks, but they hunt in highly skilled and communicative groups to ensure they successfully capture their prey. While it's hard to measure an orca’s bite force accurately, scientists estimate that it could be as high as 19,000 PSI.
The threatened blue whale is larger still, growing to about 98 feet and weighing in at more than 100 tons! But in many ways, these creatures are gentle giants who like to ingest as many calories as they can with minimal effort. To do this, they engage the sieve-like "baleen" inside their mouth, allowing them to scoop up and swallow small prey, primarily krill. Still, they would be unlikely to engage in an attack on the bigger predators of the ocean, such as great whites or orcas.
If you have any doubt about the ocean's apex predator, check out this drone footage of killer whales mauling great white sharks.
Are Humans Apex Predators?
An apex predator is defined as a species at the top of the food chain with no natural predators - a description that seems to fit humans perfectly. Studies show that we may have been apex predators for as long as two million years. During these ancient times, our ancestors ditched the greens to feed on a primarily carnivorous diet. Still, as animal food sources began to decline in the latter part of the stone age, early humans were forced to look for alternative food sources.
This led to farming practices (such as raising farmyard animals), along with an omnivorous diet. And today, we eat a diverse diet derived from several different sources. This leads to the belief that humans are not apex predators, but it really depends on your definition of "predator."
