- 6 weeks ago
From the depths of the ocean to the heights of the sky, nature's predators are designed for the kill. Join us as we count down the most deadly hunters and carnivores in the animal kingdom! Our countdown includes apex predators that dominate their environments with unmatched hunting skills, lethal weapons, and evolutionary advantages that make them the ultimate killing machines.
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00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the 30 most savage killers and carnivores in the animal kingdom.
00:12And her eyesight is eight times more powerful than a human's, so she can see well in the dark.
00:19Number 30, Coyotes.
00:21Capable of outwitting almost any animal, the coyote is not above trying to steal the otter's fish.
00:28Coyotes are the ultimate survivalists. They can eat almost anything and live almost anywhere.
00:33In North America, they survive everywhere from the deserts of the southwest to the bustling streets of major cities.
00:38Coyotes have adapted to every environment humans have thrown at them.
00:42The narrative that the general public typically sees is that coyotes conflict with us because that's the only way they make the news.
00:50People just don't understand that they have to avoid us to survive in a city, and they have to be really good at it.
00:57Their intelligence and teamwork make them deadly hunters, capable of taking down prey as large as deer.
01:02They're just as happy raiding garbage cans, though, or even snatching unwary pets.
01:07Despite centuries of extermination attempts, coyotes have only grown stronger, and they have spread far beyond their original range.
01:14As America's song dog, their eerie yipping howls send shivers down spines all over the continent.
01:20Number 29, Mongoose.
01:22On the menu today, we have millipedes, beetles, ants, termites, caterpillars, earwigs, eggs, fruit snakes, and tortoises.
01:28They have lightning-fast reflexes and sharp fangs.
01:32More importantly, they pack a ton of attitude into a tiny frame.
01:36As a result, the mongoose is one of the most fearless predators on Earth.
01:40These small, weasel-like hunters are best known for their legendary ability to take on venomous snakes.
01:45A small mongoose can easily take down a cobra and walk away unscathed.
01:50Each time, the mongoose dances just out of reach.
01:55But when the mongoose attacks, he doesn't miss.
01:59With quick strikes, thick coats, and resistance to venom, mongooses make meals out of nature's deadliest assassins.
02:06But they're not just snake killers.
02:08Mongooses also hunt insects, rodents, and birds with the same relentless energy.
02:13Found across Africa and Asia, these scrappy carnivores have even made their way to the Caribbean,
02:18where they were introduced to control pests.
02:21A food call brings everyone running.
02:26The caller doesn't want to share his food.
02:28He's just too excited to keep quiet.
02:31Number 28. Dingo
02:33A dingo becomes most lethal when it teams up with others.
02:37As they get older, the pups learn to work in tandem.
02:40These feral, wild canines are expert hunters and highly adaptable.
02:44Unlike domestic dogs, dingoes are lean, cunning, and fiercely independent.
02:48They prey upon kangaroos, wallabies, and even livestock when the opportunity strikes.
02:53Their cooperative hunting tactics allow them to take down prey much larger than themselves.
02:58And they've even been known to outsmart human traps and fences.
03:01Once feared and hunted to near extinction, dingoes are now recognized as crucial for maintaining Australia's ecological balance.
03:08They play a pivotal role in keeping invasive species like rabbits and feral cats in check.
03:21Number 27. Leopard Seal
03:23And there she is.
03:24And she, I've got the camera in front of me, and she is right there.
03:28Comes directly up to the camera.
03:30With its sleek spotted coat and toothy grin, the leopard seal might look like a playful marine mammal.
03:36But once you see them hunt, you will be hunted for life.
03:39This Antarctic predator is a cold blooded killer, patrolling icy waters for unsuspecting penguins, fish, or even smaller seals.
03:55Unlike some seal and sea lion species, the leopard seal is built for speed and power.
04:00They lunge at their prey with their bone-crushing jaws.
04:03When hunting penguins, leopard seals grab them by the feet, thrash them about like a ragdoll, then beat them against the water's surface.
04:10While they generally avoid humans, their size and aggression mean they aren't to be underestimated.
04:16Number 26. Honey Badger
04:18He's armed with some very useful tools. A formidable array of offensive and defensive weapons.
04:26If the animal kingdom handed out medals for sheer audacity, the Honey Badger would take gold every time.
04:32This pint-sized terror has a reputation that far outweighs their size.
04:36The Honey Badger will face down any larger predator without a second thought.
04:40Its thick, loose skin allows it to twist around and bite back when grabbed, making it nearly impossible to pin down.
04:46So he seems to be just jumping and trying to get to the box, but not making that connection that he needs to bring the crate or the tire over.
04:53He really wants it, but he just can't seem to figure out how to get to it.
04:56As if that weren't enough, it shrugs off bee stings, porcupine quills, and even cobra venom like minor inconveniences.
05:03Honey Badgers are also savage hunters in their own right.
05:06They dig into burrows for rodents, raid beehives for honey, and snatch eggs from nests.
05:12Once the badger immobilizes the snake's jaws, it's game over.
05:18Number 25. Box Jellyfish
05:20In the world of deadly predators, the box jellyfish doesn't need fangs, claws, or even a spine.
05:36It just drifts and things die.
05:38This boneless killer is found primarily in the waters of Australia and Southeast Asia.
05:43A nearly invisible menace, the box jellyfish boasts tentacles covered in thousands of tiny harpoon-like nematocysts.
05:50These thorn-like prickers are capable of delivering some of the most excruciating venom known to man.
05:55A single sting can cause paralysis and cardiac arrest, and can kill in minutes.
06:00Unlike most jellyfish, it has clusters of primitive eyes, allowing it to actively navigate toward prey.
06:06Despite its delicate ghostly appearance, the box jellyfish is one of the deadliest creatures in the ocean.
06:12When I entered the water, I was entering their world, and I crossed their path, so that was not their fault.
06:20Number 24. Fox
06:22Our dark male and red female pup are learning it's a tough world for a predator.
06:28Like their mom, they'll have to do whatever they must to survive.
06:34Foxes are nature's ultimate tricksters.
06:36Clever, adaptable, and deceptively deadly.
06:39Found on nearly every continent, these nimble predators use their keen senses and lightning-fast reflexes to hunt everything from rodents to birds.
06:46The red fox, the most widespread species, can hear a mouse squeak from over 100 feet away when he zeroes in.
06:53He executes a gravity-defying pounce to snatch his prey.
06:56He's located the vole. And with a pounce, he strikes.
07:04Arctic foxes, meanwhile, survive brutal tundra winters by sniffing out small animals hiding beneath the snow, diving head-first to catch them.
07:11While they may look cute and cunning, foxes are expert hunters.
07:15Sometimes, the smallest predators have the sharpest instincts.
07:19The secret to its success lies in its resourcefulness.
07:23He's a hunter, scavenger, and forager.
07:27Number 23. Fossa
07:29The apex predator of Madagascar looks like the offspring of a cat and a demon.
07:44As the top hunter in a land filled with bizarre creatures, the Fossa dominates the food chain.
07:50They prey primarily on lemurs with an agility that would make a jungle cat jealous.
07:54Equipped with semi-retractable claws and a long tail for balance, they move effortlessly through the trees, striking with deadly precision.
08:08Despite their cat-like appearance, they're actually more closely related to mongooses.
08:12Stealthy, swift, and surprisingly powerful for their size, the Fossa is Madagascar's undisputed king of the hunt.
08:20Number 22. Tarantula
08:22Tarantulas are definitely not the speediest or most venomous of spiders.
08:32But what they lack in Flash, they make up for in brute force.
08:36These hairy hunters rely on a deadly combination of stealth and raw power.
08:40Their ambush tactics make prey of insects, small rodents, and birds alike.
08:44Looking at this arachnid, seeing the size of its fangs, seeing the hairs, seeing its beady little eyes.
08:50I don't want this thing anywhere bloody near me.
08:52Instead of spinning webs to trap their victims, they use their fangs to inject venom.
08:58That deadly venom liquefies the prey's insides, turning a meal into an easy to slurp protein shake.
09:04Some species even flick irritating barbed hairs as a defense mechanism,
09:08making them dangerous to both prey and predators alike.
09:16Number 21. Leopards
09:20Sometimes it's good to wait, but today it's about seizing the opportunity.
09:32These are the ninjas of the big cat world.
09:34Unlike lions who rely on teamwork or cheetahs who win with sheer speed,
09:38leopards thrive as lone hunters.
09:40They feed thanks to a winning combination of patience, power, and perfect camouflage.
09:46Their jaws can crush bone, and their retractable claws can carve flesh like a chef's knife.
09:52It was like playing with soap in the shower.
09:54He just sort of fumbled around and didn't know what to do.
09:58There's mud being splattered on his body and on his face.
10:00They ambush prey in an instant, taking down antelopes, monkeys, and even crocodiles.
10:06A leopard can haul a kill twice their weight up a tree, keeping it safe from scavengers like hyenas.
10:12The leopard is proof that sometimes, the deadliest hunter is the one you never see coming.
10:17Number 20. Scorpion
10:19Not every animal predator needs to be a threat to humanity.
10:22The venom contained within a scorpion's stinger is certainly deadly to their natural prey,
10:26hence their appearance on our list, but only certain species of this arachnid possess the potential to be lethal towards people.
10:31Scorpions actually prefer to attack their prey directly if they can,
10:34utilizing venom to pacify or paralyze other creatures if they can't kill them with their pincers.
10:39This venom is also a natural defense against other predators,
10:42making the scorpion an effective and fascinating animal predator.
10:45Number 19. Owl
10:47Owls have a reputation of being wise, but they're also wily hunters,
10:51utilizing every tool at their disposal to hunt their prey.
10:54These beautiful birds are farsighted, but their nighttime eyesight is more than adept enough to spot small mice,
10:59insects, other birds, or even fish.
11:02Meanwhile, owls can quietly fly through the night, and use their sharp talons to cut and crush during an attack,
11:08while their curved beak eliminates excess noise and sound from interfering with their feeding schedule.
11:12Finally, the owl's natural down can often help them blend into their surroundings,
11:16meaning that by the time their prey sees the owl leave their perch, it's already too late.
11:21Number 18. Cougar
11:23Don't blink. Don't breathe.
11:25What's that lurking in the brush?
11:27Cougars love to stalk their prey and attack when least expected,
11:30sometimes even breaking the necks of smaller animals with a single pounce.
11:34These otherwise gorgeous great cats are generally solo hunters,
11:37keeping to themselves and ambushing prey when they need to feed.
11:40Deer are the cougar's favorite meal, with attacks on humans being the exception rather than the rule.
11:45Don't play dead with this big cat however, because the cougar can be opportunistic and take a chance on an easy meal if provoked or cornered.
11:53Number 17. Komodo Dragon
11:55It's not wise to mess with a Komodo dragon.
11:58It's the largest living species of lizard in the world today, with some possessing the potential to grow up to 10 feet long.
12:04This beast doesn't differentiate much when it comes to prey either, attacking animals from land, sea, and air.
12:10Not even humans are safe from the Komodo dragon, as they have been known to attack people with their swift movements and sharp jaws.
12:16This is usually only if provoked however, as the Komodo dragon usually prefers to dine on carrion,
12:21or prey it can surprise and kill quickly with a rip, a tear, or a slash with their sharp, dangerous claws.
12:27Number 16. Hyena
12:29There are many popular conceptions about how hyenas are supposed to act,
12:33with some of the animal's stereotypically skittish behavior remaining intact for certain select hyena species.
12:38Other varieties, specifically the spotted hyena, can be forthright and vicious predators,
12:43moving in swift packs to give chase to their prey, eventually tiring them out and pouncing when at the point of exhaustion.
12:49Both spotted and striped hyenas have been known to attack people however,
12:53with the young, infirm, or injured serving as favorite targets for hyena looking for an easy meal.
12:58So yeah, these beasts may be opportunistic hunters, but that doesn't make them any less dangerous.
13:03Number 15. Barracuda
13:05The last thing you'll want to say when you see one of these bad boys is,
13:09ooh, Barracuda. At least, not in a jolly tone.
13:12These underwater killers move swiftly and strike with incredible force,
13:16often severing their prey in half with their powerful jaws and sharp teeth.
13:20They have no qualms about swimming straight into a school of fish when in search of dinner,
13:23although attacks on humans tend to be fairly rare.
13:26This isn't to say that you should by any means agitate a Barracuda if you're out deep-sea diving or on vacation,
13:31as they will attack if provoked.
13:33But in general, Barracuda tend to stay in their lane.
13:36Number 14. Bobcat
13:38The bobcat is somewhat unique on our list, in that its diet and hunting schedule can vary depending on available prey in their area.
13:45This large cat doesn't require a steady diet of meat to thrive in the wild,
13:49and is known to prey upon smaller mammals such as rabbits when pickings are plentiful.
13:53At other times, there's no stopping a hungry bobcat from taking on larger animals like deer,
13:58in order to provide sustenance for the long duration.
14:00The bobcat even varies its hunting approach depending on the size of prey,
14:04utilizing a stalk-and-kill method for big animals,
14:07and a wait-and-pounce approach for smaller, easier-to-kill hares or rodents.
14:11Number 13. Brown Recluse Spider
14:13Sometimes the fruit we import from the southern United States comes with a little something extra.
14:19That's what a Nova Scotia man believes happened to him.
14:22He's now been told he's likely been bitten by a brown recluse spider.
14:27Those with arachnophobia take note.
14:29Our next entry might trigger some, let's say, adverse reactions.
14:33Spider bites aren't usually a source of immediate worry,
14:36but that's definitely not the case when it comes to the brown recluse spider,
14:39as its venom can develop painful ulcers or even sickness upon an untreated human victim.
14:44Now it's just starting to eat away at the tissue because the venom is necrotic,
14:48so it'll eat away at the skin.
14:50Thankfully, these little buggers don't tend to bother humans unless disturbed,
14:53but that doesn't mean the brown recluse spider is a saint because they're actually accomplished hunters.
14:57Larger insects are sometimes caught in the spider's web,
15:00but the brown recluse is one of the few species that also ventures out at night to actively hunt for prey,
15:05paralyzing them with their bite and eating them alive.
15:08Number 12. Black Mamba
15:10Black Mamba
15:11So you're not scared of spiders, eh?
15:12Well, how about snakes, Dr. Jones?
15:14The Black Mamba is a deadly serpentine killer that moves fast,
15:18strikes faster, and possesses a lethal venom that can be fatal if not immediately treated.
15:23Humans don't necessarily need to fear the Black Mamba unless they provoke or accidentally stumble upon one in the wild,
15:28but this snake is still quite aggressive, hunting small mammals from its lair with great success.
15:33In fact, only large birds, such as the eagle, serve as one of the Black Mamba's natural predators,
15:38making this killer serpent a perfect choice for Quentin Tarantino
15:41when he was looking to name his character Beatrix the Bride Kiddo for his Kill Bill franchise.
15:46Number 11. Wolverine
15:48Why hunt if you don't have to?
15:50Wolverines certainly don't seem to stress it too much, as they are more than physically able to survive in the wild.
15:55These small and stocky cousins to the badger and possum often scavenge for food,
15:59taking advantage of the scraps left behind by other predators.
16:02Then again, wolverines are also capable of taking on larger animals, such as deer or moose,
16:07utilizing instinct and environment to attack prey that have been disabled by the cold and snowy climates in which they tend to live.
16:12Wolverines are strong and fierce predators,
16:15often standing their ground against natural enemies like wolves thanks to their thick skin and coat,
16:20which serves as natural protection from elements and attack.
16:23Number 10. Anaconda
16:25This deadly species of snake is most often found in South America,
16:29where it exists as a top-level predator,
16:31thanks to its immense size and formidable strength.
16:34Although the term anaconda can describe multiple members of the species,
16:37it's most commonly used in reference to the green anaconda,
16:40which is the heaviest and second longest snake in the world.
16:43Anacondas commonly use their extreme lengths to wrap around their prey,
16:47crushing their bones, eliminating oxygen intake, and overall just making any enemy or food target have a pretty terrible time.
16:54And they have been known to eat other anacondas.
16:57Number 9. Eagle
16:59If the lion is considered the king of the jungle,
17:01then the eagle is its avian counterpart, an apex predator of the skies.
17:05This strong and agile bird of prey possesses nearly all of the skills necessary to make easy meat out of just about any smaller species on the ground,
17:12thanks to its keen eyesight, immense speed, and sharp deadly talons.
17:16Second only to vultures in size, especially the largest species, the Philippine eagle,
17:20these kings of the sky make quick work of just about anything they spot.
17:24Number 8. Crocodile
17:26These killers may be cold-blooded, but they like the heat of the tropics.
17:30Dwelling primarily within smaller bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, and streams,
17:34they feed on a steady diet of smaller fish and crustaceans.
17:37The crocodile is only one of several species of freshwater reptiles from a family that includes the alligator and gharial,
17:43a species most often found in India.
17:45How do you tell them apart?
17:47Crocs tend to possess a sharp V-shaped snout, as opposed to the U-formation of an alligator.
17:51One thing's for sure, however, you do not want to wind up caught up in that mouth.
17:55Those unforgiving teeth and tightly clenched jaws are enough to kill just about anything and anyone.
18:01Number 7. Cheetah
18:03Don't even try to outrun this feline predator. It just ain't gonna happen.
18:06Indeed, what the cheetah lacks in comparative size and strength to its big cat cousins,
18:10it more than makes up for in breakneck speed.
18:13The cheetah uses its lean, muscular physique and powerful legs to race and overtake its prey,
18:18particularly packs of antelope or gazelle, with relative ease and vicious results.
18:22Add to this the fact that cheetahs can also stop on a dime, change direction and accelerate rapidly,
18:28and you have yourself a whole new deadly spin on fast food.
18:31Number 6. Great White Shark
18:33One look at the Great White Shark is enough to send just about anybody swimming for his or her life.
18:38Sure, predatory sharks on their own are bad news enough for smaller fish in the sea,
18:42but the Great White is the badass of them all.
18:44This guy has no natural predators other than the killer whale, making it one hell of a tough customer.
18:49Fast, strong, and relentless in its quest to feed,
18:53there's a reason why the Great White Shark has haunted the dreams of so many moviegoers since Jaws first hit the screen in 1975.
18:59And they continue to be cinematic fodder to this day.
19:02Number 5. Lion
19:04Known as the king of the jungle, the proud and mighty lion is a big cat that also happens to be one of nature's supreme predators.
19:11Although tigers are often larger in stature, the lion's regal reputation and fiercely protective family structure
19:17make them dangerous opponents for even the hardiest of wild felines.
19:20Massive jaws, sharp claws, and the lion's taut hind legs make them a four-footed killing machine for just about anything that crosses their paths.
19:28The average lifespan of a lion rarely exceeds 15 years, however, thanks in part to territorial squabbles with other cats,
19:34not to mention hunting threats from humans.
19:36Number 4. Grizzly Bear
19:38If the Academy Award-winning film The Revenant has taught us anything, it's that one should never antagonize a bear or its cubs.
19:45This fact is true no matter which species of bear one happens to encounter,
19:48whether it's the North American black bear, the Arctic polar bear, or this entry's animal predator, the mighty grizzly bear.
19:54Sure, grizzlies may look cute and cuddly when they're not mauling prey or otherwise being terrifying, but watch out.
20:00This subspecies of brown bear has multiple means of getting one over on its dinner,
20:04including sharp claws, strong teeth, and their massive physical frame.
20:08Grizzly bears are also damn quick too, so if you're thinking of running away or climbing a tree, don't.
20:13Number 3. Gray Wolf
20:15A pack of wolves on one's tail is not the most fortunate of situations,
20:19and it's exponentially worse should that pack be composed of North American gray wolves.
20:23This species of wild canid is one of the largest in the world, while also one of the most unique thanks to a number of interesting personality traits.
20:30For one, the gray wolf is monogamous, often mating for life.
20:34They hunt in a fairly large pack formation, often containing the parents and offspring together in one unit.
20:39Gray wolves also tend to be quite communicative between each other, utilizing facial and bodily cues in a fashion that makes them one of the most distinctly visual predators on our list.
20:48Number 2. Tiger
20:50This big cat is the largest species of feline in the world, combining strength and lean speed to make one of the animal kingdom's most dangerous apex predators.
20:59Although lions often travel in large social packs, the tiger is a bit more reserved and shy.
21:04Still, their tendency to live within close proximity to humans has resulted in unfortunate clashes over the years.
21:10Tigers generally hunt at night, and aren't above attacking other similarly sized predators for food sources, showing little to no fear of just about anything or anyone.
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21:35Number 1. Killer Whale
21:37Also known as Orca
21:39The great white shark only has one natural predator, and it's this one, the orca, which is also called the killer whale.
21:46So, how does it feel to be the only creature fearsome enough to punish a great white?
21:50We're just gonna assume it feels pretty damn good. And why not?
21:53These massive oceanic predators have no natural enemies, placing them squarely at the top of their food chain.
21:59Killer whales have been known to snack on all manner of fish, big and small, and possess the strength, agility, and chomping jaws to get the job done.
22:06Like human beings, they have a profound instinct for vengeance.
22:10Fortunately, they rarely, if ever, pose an immediate threat to humans. Even if the 1977 animal attack flick Orca the Killer Whale demonstrated otherwise.
22:23Which of these deadly predators would you not want to meet in the bush? Let us know in the comments below.
22:29What in hell are you?!
22:31Man and Orca
22:33Man and Orca
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