apex predator
Top ecological hunter
An apex predator is an animal at the top of its food chain, with no natural predators of its own.
Wolves, great white sharks, and eagles are apex predators in their ecosystems.
The term extends figuratively to dominant figures in competitive fields: In Silicon Valley, the apex predators are the founders who've already had billion-dollar exits.
Largest predatory fish
- orcaLarge predatory dolphin
- lionManed African feline
- tigerLarge striped Asian feline
- wolfWild pack canine
grizzly bear · polar bear · crocodile · jaguar · leopard · eagle · python · alligator
Surprise strike from concealment
- stalkingStealthy, persistent pursuit
- pursuitAct of chasing something
- pack huntingPredators coordinating their kills
- solitary hunterAnimal that stalks alone
stealth · kill · prey · carnivore · territorial · nocturnal · hunting strategy · prey drive
Ecological feeding hierarchy
- keystone speciesOutsized ecological impact organism
- ecosystemInterconnected organisms and surroundings
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- mesopredatorPredator with its own predators
rewilding · conservation · wildlife management · endangered species · habitat · territory · ecological balance · biomagnification
Inspiring fear or respect
- fearsomeCausing intense alarm
- deadlyAble to cause expiration
- lethalCausing or capable of death
- fierceViolently intense or aggressive
ferocious · powerful · menacing · imposing · terrifying · dangerous · ruthless · relentless
First Greek letter
- supremeHighest in authority
- unchallengedFacing no opposition
- dominantHaving superior influence
- hierarchyRanked authority structure
territorial · top-tier · unrivaled · king of the jungle · ruler
great white shark
Largest predatory fish
wolf · grizzly bear · polar bear · crocodile · jaguar · leopard · eagle · python · alligator · cougar
ambush
Surprise strike from concealment
- stalkingStealthy, persistent pursuit
- pursuitAct of chasing something
- pack huntingPredators coordinating their kills
solitary hunter · stealth · kill · prey · carnivore · territorial · nocturnal · hunting strategy · prey drive · attack
food chain
Ecological feeding hierarchy
- keystone speciesOutsized ecological impact organism
- ecosystemInterconnected organisms and surroundings
- biodiversityRange of life forms
mesopredator · rewilding · conservation · wildlife management · endangered species · habitat · territory · ecological balance · biomagnification · carrying capacity
formidable
Inspiring fear or respect
fierce · ferocious · powerful · menacing · imposing · terrifying · dangerous · ruthless · relentless · savage
alpha
First Greek letter
- supremeHighest in authority
- unchallengedFacing no opposition
- dominantHaving superior influence
hierarchy · territorial · top-tier · unrivaled · king of the jungle · ruler
- ecologyhabitat, ecosystem, balance, niche, food webs
- environmentalismecology, conservationism, recycling bins, campaigner, environmentalism
- carnivoresmeat-eating, wolf, tiger, hypercarnivore, lion
- foodchainproducer, consumer, prey, herbivore, carnivore
- tiger factsBengal tiger, Siberian tiger, Sumatran tiger, white tiger, cub
- marine ecologyhabitat, kelp forest, coral reef, tide pool, estuary
apex predatorprey
Animal being hunted
herbivore · autotroph · plankton · grass · decomposer
apex predatorprey species
bottom feeder · vulnerable species · forage fish · bait fish · grazer
apex, predator, predatory, predate, predators, predation, predated, predating, apical