Predatory animals are those that feed on other animals. They occupy the top of the food chain and are therefore found in smaller quantities. Predators are generally large, agile and adapted for hunting.
A good predator is not only known for its size. They also have characteristics and abilities for hunting, such as: agility, speed, cooperation, keen senses and camouflage. Discover the biggest predators in the animal world and their main abilities to capture their prey.
1. White shark
The white shark (Charcharodon carcharias) It is the most aggressive and feared among all others. He is an excellent swimmer, fast and agile, who can jump into the water to surprise the victim.
Its large, triangular and pointed teeth intimidate and crush prey with ease. THE strong jaw makes a single bite fatal to the prey.
It can be found in tropical and subtropical seas around the world. Because it maintains its body temperature higher than the environment, it also inhabits cooler waters.
This giant of the seas weighs up to 3 tons, measures more than 7 m and can live for up to 27 years. Despite its name, the white part of its body is located only in the ventral position. He can swim up to 40 km/h.
Its food consists of fish, seals, dolphins, squid, turtles and sea birds.
The white shark is responsible for the largest number of accidents with humans.
See too: White shark.
2. orca
THE orca (orcinus orca) is a species of dolphin, despite being known as a killer whale. THE ability to hunt in a group makes any animal easily prey.
When in groups, the orcas plan their actions as true attack strategies, leaving little chance of survival for the prey.
It is found all over the world as it easily adapts to environmental conditions.
Killer whales can reach up to 6 tons and 9 m in length. They are easily recognized by their black and white coloration.
Among its prey are varied species of fish, stingrays, molluscs, birds, turtles and seals. When hunting in groups, they are even more dangerous and even sharks can be devoured. They don't usually attack humans.
Also know about:
- Whale
- Blue Whale
- humpback whale
3. Lion
Known as the king of the jungle, the Lion (panthera leo) is a mammalian animal feline large-sized. It is found in Africa and Asia, inhabiting savannas, open areas or arboreal environments.
A male lion can reach up to 1.2 m in height to the shoulder and weigh 190 kg. Males differ from females by having a mane and greater amount of hair.
Lions are capable of hunting nature's biggest prey. They are excellent hunters and they feed on small and medium-sized animals such as zebras, deer, buffalo, wild boar and hyenas. Lionesses also hunt.
They are extremely fast. When chasing their prey, lions can reach up to 50 km/h.
An adult lion can consume up to 35 kg of meat in one day!
Also know about the Tiger.
4. anaconda
The anaconda (Murinus Eunectes), also known as black anaconda or anaconda, is a reptile found in South America. In Brazil, most anacondas are found in the Amazon.
They can reach 10 m and weigh more than 100 kg. However, these characteristics are hardly found in nature. The anaconda is a carnivorous animal, it feeds on birds, fish and capybaras.
They are extremely agile in water. For the hunting strategy, the anacondas use the constriction, they wrap the prey with your body, choking and breaking her bones, only to swallow her whole afterward.
The complete digestion of a larger animal can take weeks.
5. Crocodile
The porous crocodile or saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is the biggest reptile today. It is found in parts of Asia and northern Australia.
This super predator can reach 7 m and weigh over 100 kg. It feeds on monkeys, turtles, buffaloes or any other animal within its reach.
Crocodiles usually stay hidden under the water until the moment of attack. He silently watches the victim until he attacks her. When the prey approaches to drink water, the crocodile attacks and drags it to the bottom, leaving little chance for defense.
Usually, the prey is killed with a single bite of the crocodile.
6. Polar Bear
O Polar Bear or white bear (Ursus Maritimus) is the largest carnivore on Earth. It inhabits the frozen lands of the Arctic. This animal can reach 2 m in height and weigh more than 600 kg.
The polar bear is an excellent hunter, much of its time is devoted to hunting. Hence, they can swim up to 6 km in one hour.
They also have the very keen sense of smell being able to smell the distant prey. The white fur still helps in camouflage in the frozen environment. Hence, they can surprise their prey.
Seals are the polar bear's favorite prey. To hunt them down, they make holes in the ice and wait for victims who are surprised by the bear's ferocious attack.
All this hunting activity can be explained. During the summer, the polar bear goes a long period without feeding, surviving only on its energy reserves.
7. Gray wolf
The gray wolf (kennels lupus) is found in Europe, Asia and America, especially in colder regions. He is one of the greatest representatives of the Canid family, the same as foxes and dogs.
These animals can reach up to 85 cm in height (up to the shoulder) and weigh up to 80 kg.
Their diet is made up of moose, wild boar, deer and deer.
Wolves hunt in groups and wait for the right moment to attack their prey. If the prey tries to flee, it will have little chance, as the wolves can run up to 70 km/h.
Another hunting weapon is long, sharp teeth. In addition, they have the very accurate hearing and yours night vision is the best among all canids. Therefore, they are considered excellent hunters.
The gray wolf can eat up to 9 kg of meat in a single meal.
8. gray bear
The grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) is a mammal found in part of North America. It is a subspecies of the brown bear (Ursus arctos).
It can reach up to 3 m when standing and weigh up to 700 kg.
Despite being huge, they have a lot of agility. They can run up to 50 km/h, jump and climb trees.
The grizzly bear is an omnivorous animal, it feeds on fruits, honey, larvae, insects, fish and small rodents. They can sense prey from miles away with just their sense of smell. These bears have one of the best senses of smell in the entire animal world. In addition, they have a mighty bite which can easily tear apart prey.
9. white-headed eagle
The white-headed or bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a bird of prey found in North America. This animal inhabits coastal environments and close to rivers and lakes. This animal can have up to 1.2 m of wings and weigh 6 kg.
It is a carnivorous bird and with great eyesight. She mainly feeds on fish. To do this, it flies over the water and captures prey with its strong claws.
They also tend to hunt small vertebrates such as rodents and, in some cases, feed on the carrion of large animals.
10. hyenas
The Spotted Hyena (crocuta crocuta) is the largest representative among the three existing hyena species, all found in Africa. This is the most predatory and the most dangerous, a efficient, opportunistic and extremely aggressive hunter.
The spotted hyena can reach up to 1.70 m in length and weigh more than 80 kg.
We can say that spotted hyenas eat everything they consider food, even animal bones and droppings. For a long time, it was believed that hyenas fed only on animal corpses.
However, following the way of life of these animals, it was discovered that they are skilled predators and the live prey represents their favorite food. They can travel great distances and run up to 60 km/h behind your prey.
The ability of hyenas in hunting is compared to that of lions. Furthermore, they are the only animals to face the lions. When in a group, the hyenas can attack the king of the jungle. Even hyenas and lions are great rivals in nature.
Learn more about:
- Animal Kingdom
- Food chain
