5 Apex Predators and Where to Find Them
An apex predator is the hardcore animal at the top of its food chain, the baddest of the bad, with few or no natural predators in its ecosystem. Think of the kind of creature that can strut, swim or fly confidently through its habitat, unconcerned, never having to look over its shoulder—a lion, a snow leopard, an orca, a polar bear or a golden eagle, for example. But it’s not all take and no give; these animals fulfill very important ecological roles, as they regulate prey populations and change prey behavior in ways that can benefit many other species.
These dominant predators often have massive home ranges but low population densities, which unfortunately means human interference and habitat encroachment can pose serious threats to their survival. In some instances, humans have introduced predators that became dominant in their new ecosystems—a clear example being dingoes in Australia, which scientists think were brought to the country thousands of years ago. Other times, if humans kill off an ecosystem’s natural apex predators, other animals become more abundant and take on larger predatory roles. For instance, when settlers killed off wolves and mountain lions in parts of North America, coyotes expanded into areas where these larger predators had once kept their numbers in check.
Decreasing apex predator populations can have a major effect on the ecosystems where they live, because when top predators disappear, medium-sized predators (mesopredators) may increase in number. It’s called mesopredator release. This phenomenon can decrease biodiversity when growing mesopredator populations put additional pressure on smaller animals. According to the trophic cascade theory, apex predators can also influence populations of plants and animals throughout an ecosystem by regulating prey numbers and behavior.
One of the most famous examples of a potential trophic cascade is the gray wolf’s eradication and subsequent reintroduction in Yellowstone National Park. After wolves were eliminated from the park, elk populations grew and heavy browsing contributed to declines in young willows and aspens, affecting habitat used by beavers and other wildlife. It was definitely one of those “whoopsie” scenarios in wildlife management. Since their reintroduction in the 1990s, gray wolves have helped restore some balance to the ecosystem. Researchers have documented changes in vegetation and other wildlife, although scientists continue to debate how much of the ecosystem’s recovery can be attributed directly to wolves rather than other predators, water availability and climate.
Seeing an apex predator maneuver through the wild is a sight to behold. If that’s something you have on your travel bucket list, here are five travel experiences that can’t be missed:
1. Polar Bears
For thousands of years, polar bears have reigned as top predators in the Arctic marine environment. Aside from the occasional dangerous encounter with a massive walrus or another polar bear, healthy adults have few natural enemies outside of humans. They’re powerful swimmers, capable of covering more than a hundred miles during exceptional long-distance swims, helped by their massive, slightly webbed paws. They have an extraordinary sense of smell that allows them to detect seals from considerable distances, even when the animals are hidden beneath snow. Polar bears are the largest living bear species—males can reach 10 feet in length and weigh up to 1,700 pounds. Ursus maritimus has large, slightly curved canine teeth that can tear through thick blubber and meat without a problem.
On our Classic Polar Bear Adventure in the Polar Bear Capital of the World in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, you can observe and photograph these beasts from the safety of our Polar Rover vehicles. It’s possible to see mothers caring for their cubs, young males play-fighting or a massive lone male bear slowly meandering over the tundra. Our passionate and knowledgeable Expedition Leaders interpret this behavior and help you understand these animals better. You never know where or when you may spot a polar bear in these parts—we’ve even had trips where we see them from our bus right after landing at the airport!
Orcas
The orca (Orcinus orca) isn’t called the killer whale for no reason. This instantly recognizable black-and-white marine animal is actually the largest member of the dolphin family and combines curiosity and charisma with formidable predatory skills to make it one of the most powerful hunters in the ocean. They don’t always work alone, either—these incredibly social animals live in family groups called pods, some containing dozens of individuals, and have complex forms of communication. Orcas’ teamwork, agility, stamina, size (large males can weigh more than six tons!), strength and intelligence have cemented their reputation as some of the planet’s premier apex predators. Some populations strategize coordinated hunts that allow them to pursue animals much larger than themselves. Certain orcas target whale calves, separating them from their mothers, while others specialize in fish, seals or other marine mammals. Their conical teeth, which can reach several inches in length, help them grip and tear apart prey.
iller whales are found in all oceans, but many populations inhabit colder waters, including those around Antarctica, Norway and Alaska. Scientists estimate that tens of thousands of orcas inhabit the world’s oceans, although their distribution and population sizes vary by region. On an expedition cruise of the Antarctic Peninsula, some travelers have even been fortunate enough to witness orcas working together to create waves that wash unsuspecting seals from floating ice into the water.
Orcas are also spotted in the coastal waters of western Iceland, where they feast on abundant herring and sometimes put on vivid aerial displays. The waters around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, including near the village of Grundarfjörður, are particularly well known for orca watching when herring are present. Orcas are occasionally seen off Iceland’s northern coast, too, although sightings are less predictable. The waters around Norway’s northern region are some of the richest fishing grounds in the world, making them a prime place for orcas to come and dine as well.
In North America, Alaska supports several populations of orcas, including fish-eating residents and mammal-hunting transients, also called Bigg’s killer whales. Orcas are regularly seen in Prince William Sound, the Kenai Fjords and waters around Resurrection Bay, as well as farther south in Southeast Alaska. Resident orcas primarily feast on fish, especially salmon, while transient orcas pursue seals, sea lions and other marine mammals. Farther north, some orcas follow the seasonal retreat of sea ice into Arctic waters before moving south again as the ice advances.
Snow Leopard
Hidden high in the Himalayas, camouflaged against harsh snow and rocky terrain, lives a stealthy apex predator known as the “ghost of the mountains.” The elusive snow leopard, opens in new tab is an absolute master of camouflage, adapted to survive in forbidding terrain by concealing itself among craggy rocks and deep gorges. It rests on tall ridges at elevations that can exceed 18,000 feet, surveying the terrain for potential prey and lying low in crevices at strategic lookouts. When the time is right, the surefooted cat strikes at animals like ibex, urial and bharal, charging at high speeds, its long, bushy tail providing extra balance on steep slopes and its powerful hind legs enabling it to leap several times its body length. Anyone who has seen video of a snow leopard chasing its prey knows that these cats just go for it, audaciously and boldly flinging themselves into what seem to be impossible situations as they pursue mountain-dwelling ungulates.
As a top predator in its mountain ecosystem, Panthera uncia helps regulate populations of grazing animals, which can influence the vegetation they consume. Healthy mountain ecosystems are also important for protecting the watersheds that supply freshwater to millions of people downstream. Snow leopards are found in the high mountain ranges of Central Asia, including the Himalayas, as well as Bhutan, Nepal, Mongolia and parts of Russia. On our Land of the Snow Leopard trip, we explore the heights of Ladakh, a former Silk Road kingdom in northern India, for the chance to spot these cats in the wild.
Lion
The term “King of the Jungle” might lead some to believe that the male lion is the top hunter, but “Queen of the Jungle” is more like it. Lionesses do much of the cooperative hunting in a pride, as their smaller size and agility help them stalk prey through savanna grass. With relatively limited endurance for sustained high-speed pursuits, lions prefer to stalk first; they can reach speeds of around 35 miles per hour or more, but only for short distances. Additionally, lionesses often hunt together cooperatively, increasing their chances of capturing prey successfully. Once a lioness catches her prey, she typically uses a powerful bite to the throat or muzzle to suffocate it, while smaller animals may be killed with a bite to the neck. Lions generally feed where they make their kill, although they sometimes drag carcasses into cover.
Male lions also hunt, sometimes alone and sometimes cooperatively. Their size and strength allow them to tackle large prey, including buffalo, although hunting strategies vary by individual and habitat. Prey vary by location but include buffalo, giraffes, gazelles, impalas, warthogs and wildebeests. Lions sometimes prey on young or vulnerable elephants, too. If larger prey isn’t available, they’ll eat birds, rodents, fish, ostrich eggs, amphibians and reptiles, as well as scavenge.
The African lion (Panthera leo) once inhabited parts of Europe, southwest Asia and North Africa, but it has disappeared from most of its historic range and now lives mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. A small population of Asiatic lions survives in India’s Gir Forest and surrounding landscapes. Want the chance to see an African lion in the wild? Join us on our Ultimate East Africa Safari.
Golden Eagle
There’s a reason Mongolians have hunted with golden eagles for centuries. Among Kazakh communities in western Mongolia, hunting with trained golden eagles is a centuries-old tradition passed down through generations. These birds are built for capturing prey. Trained golden eagles have even been used to hunt wolves in Central Asia, although wild golden eagles typically pursue much smaller animals. Equipped with powerful talons, golden eagles can carry prey weighing several pounds in flight and reach impressive speeds when diving. During a steep hunting dive, they can exceed 150 miles per hour! They generally hunt alone, although pairs sometimes cooperate to pursue prey. Their usual quarry includes other birds, marmots, hares, mice and ground squirrels, but they may also attack foxes and young deer. When golden eagles attack, they generally swoop down with their feet extended and talons out. Three toes face forward, while the rear toe, called the hallux, comes in behind. Their powerful talons help them seize and subdue prey, and their sharp, hooked beaks tear flesh into manageable pieces.
These formidable birds range from Mexico through much of western North America as far north as Alaska. They can also be found in Asia, northern Africa and Europe. Golden eagles survived widespread persecution in parts of Europe during the 19th and 20th centuries, including in Switzerland, where they can still be spotted soaring above the Alps.
In Mongolia, golden eagles hunt over open grasslands and rugged mountain terrain. On Nat Hab’s Untamed Mongolia adventure, we search for native wildlife in Hustai National Park, the eastern Gobi steppe and the Altai Mountains. Along the way, we look for raptors overhead, track wild Mongolian wolves with a local biologist and meet Kazakh and Mongol nomadic families to learn about their traditional ways of life.
Although apex predators have few natural enemies as healthy adults, they are not safe from humans. Many of the world’s top predators are threatened or have experienced major population declines due to hunting, conflicts over livestock, persecution and habitat loss. Responsible ecotourism is one way to help demonstrate to local communities that these animals are not only important parts of their ecosystems but also wildlife that nature lovers travel from around the world to see.
