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10 Different Animals with No Natural Predators (Pictures)

Since many animals eat each other, it can seem like all animals have predators. However, this isn’t true. There are animals with no natural predators, known as “apex predators,” because they sit at the top of the food chain. Typically they are too big, fast, or aggressive to be killed by any other animals easily. Most of their threats come from environmental changes or human activities.

Let’s learn more about 10 of these powerful predators, including interesting facts and their natural habitats

Collage photo animals with no natural predators

10 animals with no natural predators

Here is a list of 10 animals with no natural predators and the reasons they crown the top of the food chain.

1. Killer whale

Scientific name: Orcinus orca

The killer whale, or orca, is at the top of this list since they are powerful predators known to attack and kill other apex predators, such as great white sharks and sperm whales. This makes them the true rulers of the sea. Although called “whales” they are actually the largest dolphin species, growing between 23 to 32 feet long.

These marine animals hunt in packs, similar to wolves, and always live in close family groups called pods, consisting of 2 to 30 individuals. You can find killer whales in all oceans, however, they’re more abundant in the colder waters around Antarctica and Alaska.


2. Electric eel

electric eel | image by Scott via Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0

Scientific name: Electrophorus electricus

Electric eels have no natural predators due to the dangerous electric charges they can generate. Releasing up to 800 volts of electricity, they are capable of killing animals as big as caiman alligators. That’s also a higher voltage than standard household outlets. However, they don’t always release deadly voltages and can also use low discharges for communication or simply to scare other animals away.

Despite their names, they are a species of knifefish and closer related to carp and catfish than eels. They grow between 6 to 8 feet and prefer living in slow-moving waters of pools, streams, ox-bow lakes, and flooded forests. You can find them throughout northern South America.


3. Tiger shark

tiger shark | depositphotos.com

Scientific name: Galeocerdo cuvier

Although other sharks or killer whales can eat juveniles, adult tiger sharks have no natural predators. They are part of the top three aggressive shark species with teeth designed to shear their food and inflict devastating damage. These sharks get their name from the tiger-like stripes on their body and can also grow up to 16 feet long. They typically inhabit warm, tropical waters like in the Pacific Islands.


4. Sperm whale

Sperm Whale | image by Gregory Smith via Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0

Scientific name: Physeter macrocephalus

Also known as the cachalot whale, the sperm whale is the largest toothed predator and whale on earth. Adult males are aggressive and grow up to 52 feet long, making them too big and dangerous for any other animal to hunt. Even among their young and small females, the only animal known to be a threat is a pack of killer whales.

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You can typically find sperm whales in deep waters far from shore. However, they sometimes swim closer to shores in areas with underwater canyons or around islands. They get their names from the waxy substance found in their heads, called spermaceti, that was used for making wax candles, textile finishing, and ointments.


5. African lion

Scientific name: Panthera leo

African lions are one of the largest lion species, growing 4.5 to 6.5 feet long and weighing 265 to 420 pounds. You can find these animals in savanna, grassland, open woodland, and dense scrub habitats of Africa.

These powerful predators are known to compete with other predators, such as cheetahs and African cougars when hunting prey. They are also the only cats that live in groups and will also hunt together in open grasslands.


6. North American cougar

Scientific name: Puma concolor couguar

North American cougars, also known as mountain lions or panthers, are large, solitary cats native to western North America, parts of Florida, western Canada, and Central and South America. These apex predators can run 50 miles per hour and break their prey’s neck with a powerful bite and momentum. They are also known to compete with other predators such as wolves and bears for food.


7. Grizzly bear

Scientific name: Ursus arctos horribilis

As a North American subspecies of the brown bear, grizzly bears are powerful large bears growing up to 8 feet tall. They are aggressive and protective of their young, commonly standing up when threatened, making blowing sounds, and slapping the ground. Although big in size, these bears can also run at 30 miles per hour!

You can typically see gatherings of grizzly bears at prime fishing spots with salmon running upstream, especially in Alaska. They’re also an iconic species living in Yellowstone National Park.


8. Komodo dragon

Scientific name: Varanus komodoensis

Komodo dragons are native to Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda islands’ dry, hot, or tropical climates. As the most dominant predator in their habitat, mature adults have no natural predators. These lizards ambush live prey with their powerful bites and razor-sharp, slashing teeth. On top of that, their saliva contains venom and they can grow up to 10 feet long.


9. Saltwater crocodile

Scientific name: Crocodylus porosus

Saltwater crocodiles are the largest living crocodile, growing up to 17 feet long and weighing 1,000 pounds. As their name suggests, they prefer living in saltwater habitats or brackish wetlands by the coast. You can find them in eastern India, Southeast Asia, northern Australia, and Micronesia.

The only real threat to saltwater crocodiles are humans who eat their meat and use their skin as material for shoes, bags, and other goods. As predators, they are opportunistic, ambushing their prey and known to prevail against other apex predators such as sharks.


10. Crowned eagle

African crowned eagle | image by Jon Mountjoy via Flickr | CC BY 2.0

Scientific name: Stephanoaetus coronatus

Crowned eagles are the most powerful eagles in Africa, using their thick legs and long talons to kill animals over 4 times their size. These birds can also swoop down at 100 miles per hour when hunting prey. Their natural habitats are mountains, forests, and grasslands in central and southeastern Africa.

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