List of apex predators

This is a partial list of apex predators—those predators that are not preyed upon as healthy adults in the wild. Full scavengers (e.g. most vultures), although they may not be preyed on either, are not counted as apex predators unless they at least partially depend on capturing live prey. Many species listed here are only apex predators within certain environments, e.g. coyotes are only apex predators when larger predators such as the gray wolf or the brown bear are absent.

Extinct dinosaurs that were likely apex predators

Spanning several millennia, ages, epoch, and eras, these extinct carnivorous dinosaurs were likely apex predators based on their size and dietary needs. Some may have also been scavengers as well.

Size comparison of the largest theropod dinosaurs

The largest Coelurosaur Tyrannosaurus was an apex predator

Spinosaurus was the largest ever terrestrial predator and was an apex predator

Other prehistoric apex predators

Terrestrial

Aerial

• Argentavis
• Haast's eagle
• Hatzegopteryx
• Quetzalcoatlus
• Teratornis

Aquatic

Extant predators

These living carnivores or omnivores are apex predators.

The African wild dog is a predatory canine found across much of southern and central Africa.

The lion is a predatory feline of central and southern Africa as well as India. It is Africa and India's apex predator.

The gray wolf is a predatory canine of North America and Eurasia.

The Komodo dragon is the largest living lizard and the top predator of Komodo.

The largest surviving carnivorous marsupial, the Tasmanian devil is both a scavenger and a fierce predator.

Human is the apex predator of all its range

Terrestrial

The golden eagle is a bird of prey found across most of the Northern Hemisphere.

The south polar skua both bullies other seabirds for their catches and preys on the other seabirds.

Aerial

The American alligator is the apex predator of the marshlands in the southern USA.

The American crocodile is the apex predator of the mangrove swamps in the southern tip of Florida, the Caribbean islands, Central and South America.

The electric rays are marine predators of the tropics.

The great white shark, a paradigmatic apex predator.

The killer whale or orca is an apex predator of most of the world's oceans.

The saltwater crocodile is the largest living reptile and is the dominant predator throughout its range.

Aquatic

Notes: Animals with an asterisk (*) are only apex predators as introduced species.

References