Top Predators Of Animal Kingdom
Saltwater Crocodile The Crocodylus porosus, commonly known as the saltwater crocodile, is the most prominent member of the crocodilian family. Also known as the estuarine crocodile, these creatures grow to an average length of 5 meters and weigh more than 450 kilograms. However, it’s also common to find specimens that are 6 meters in length and more than 900 kilograms in weight.
Polar Bear Found in the endless snow-covered ice sheets of the Arctic, polar bears are a superb example of how large, top-of-the-food-chain mammals can survive in the most demanding areas. Known scientifically as ursus maritimus, these blustery beasts are strong swimmers with slightly webbed large front paws that they use to propel themselves when immersed.
Brown Bear Unlike most predators on this list, the brown bear is an omnivore creature that lives in forests and mountains worldwide. But, make no mistake, this apex predator is the most powerful creature in its habitat, which puts it at the top of its food chain.
Komodo Dragon The Komodo dragon, or varanus komodoensis, is the heaviest lizard on Earth and one of the planet’s most ferocious predators. These fantastic animals have an average lifespan of 30 years, can weigh more than 135 kilograms, and are equipped with a powerful bite that exerts a force of up to 600 PSI. This is enough to break the bones of its most common prey easily.
Siberian Tiger The Siberian tiger has fascinated humans for thousands of years, inspiring poems, fictional stories, songs, and even cult films. However, the most notable thing about this imposing beast is its sheer power and hunting ability, which put it at the top of the food chain. And, arguably, make it one of the top apex predators on the entire planet.
Lion The lion is commonly referred to as “the king of the jungle” so it’s no surprise that it’s on our list of top predators in the food chain. That said, these iconic animals don’t live in the jungle. They prefer open woodlands, grasslands, scrub, and the African savannah because these habitats allow them to hunt their prey easily.
Leopard Consistently regarded as one of the most graceful and elegant big cats, leopards are as lethal as they are beautiful. Known as panthera pardus in the scientific community, these animals are closely related to other apex predators such as lions and tigers, leopards ambush their prey and usually choose to hunt at night. Needless to say, these mighty creatures do not have natural predators and are at the very climax of their habitat’s food chain.
Snow Leopard The panthera uncia or snow leopard is a spotted big cat that lives in mountainous terrains across Asia. Their thick fur provides insulation, and the cream or gray-colored spots provide perfect camouflage against their alpine backdrop. But, what makes their apex the top-of-the-chain predator, is their incredible athletic ability.
Orca The killer whale, orca, or orcinus orca is an aquatic mammal and the most prominent member of the dolphin family. Orcas are iconic, sociable, extremely intelligent, and recognizable at a large distance. These hunters have an array of weapons and tactics at their disposal. But, their echolocation abilities, which allow them to communicate and locate and identify prey, maybe the most impressive.
Great White Shark The great white shark is such a perfect hunting machine that it has starred in terror movie franchises, television series, and science fiction novels. Scientifically named the carcharodon carcharias, this torpedo-shaped predator is designed to thrive in its natural hunting habitat.