![]() In the Brazilian Amazon, 36,500 km of future roads will be built or upgraded inside the home ranges of pumas, ocelots and jaguars. Ironically, as we celebrate the Year of the Tiger this year, road construction in Nepal is expected to bisect tiger strongholds, threatening to reverse the remarkable and previously inconceivable progress made to conserve the world’s remaining 4,500 wild tigers from extinction. This is particularly concerning where road developments will impact areas of rich biodiversity and where conservation gains have been so painstakingly achieved. This development directly threatens the core habitats of apex predators found in these regions and will potentially disrupt the functioning and stability of their ecosystems. Proposed road developments across Africa, the Brazilian Amazon and Nepal are expected to intersect roughly 500 protected areas. More than 90 percent of the 25 million kilometers of new global road construction expected between now and 2050 will be built in developing nations that host critical ecosystems and rich biodiversity areas. The outlook for the next 30 years is even more dire. Eight out of the 10 species most impacted by roads were found in Asia, with the sloth bear, tiger, dhole, Asiatic black bear and clouded leopard leading the list. Tigers, clouded leopards and leopards are among the 10 apex predators most threatened by the world’s roads.īy Jeffrey Dunnink, Independent Media Instituteĭesigned for speed and efficiency, roadways across the globe are effectively killing wildlife whose futures are intrinsically linked to the future of the planet: apex predators, those species including big cats like tigers and leopards who sit at the top of the food chain and ensure the health of all biodiversity.Ī new study I coauthored confirms that apex predators in Asia currently face the greatest threat from roads, likely due to the region’s high road density and the numerous apex predators found there. Some apex predators on their native lands are due to the absence of other predators, such as the remote location of the Komodo dragon.Road less traveled: A male Iberian Lynx ( Lynx pardinus) at Parque Natural de la Sierra de Andújar in Cáceres, Spain (Photo credit: Frank Vassen/ Flickr) These predators do not have any natural predators of their own and hunt other animals for their food.īears, killer whales, birds of prey, and big cats are some of the most well-known apex predators in the world. ConclusionĪll animals are part of the food chain in which the apex predators sit at the top. American alligators have been known to put sticks and twigs on their heads to attract birds. ![]() Once the prey comes closer, they use their powerful jaws to snap it in their mouth. They hunt by submerging themselves in water and waiting for their prey to approach them. Their body weight is more than 2,200 lbs. The Chinese alligator and the American alligator are the only two subspecies of alligators.Īmerican alligators are common to the Southeastern United States and reach an average length of around 15.6 feet. These eat all other animals (except for other apex predators – usually).īelow is a list of some of the well-known apex predators.Īlligators are large reptiles found in two areas of the world. These are the weakest animals.Īt the top of the food chain, we have apex predators. This chain is made up of animals that hunt each other.Īt the bottom of the food chain, we have detritivores and decomposers. The natural order of animals in the wild is known as the food chain. The only animals that kill apex predators are other apex predators. ![]() They have no natural predators and hunt multiple species for their food. What Is an Apex Predator?Īn apex predator is a type of predator that is situated at the top of the food chain. ![]() This article lists the top 15 apex predators found in the world. Predators are reliant on hunting other animals for survival and have to be strong and tough. Some of them are built differently and are able to become the kings of nature.Īnimals live in nature belonging to one of two categories – prey or predator. All of them make up a part of the food chain. ![]() There are millions of animal species living in the world. They are rulers of the wild and are extremely deadly. Apex predators include big cats, crocodiles, killer whales, bears, birds of prey, large snakes, and more. ![]()
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