What is the greatest predator on the earth?

Question

I've heard Dog's and Wolves sense they hunt in packs. But is it true that nothing could survive an attack from a pack of dogs or wolves? Or what about a pride of lions?

Answer 1

While mosquitoes may cause a lot of human deaths (and animal deaths too - they also get malaria), I don't think mosquitoes can in any sense be called predators.

Human predators, however, have probably had some role in the extinction of many large species of mammal. Woolly mammoth, giant ground sloths, moas, short-faced kangaroos, steppe bison, giant lemurs, etc. all have humans as the prime suspect in their disappearance.

There are many others we know for a fact that humans hunted out of existence. Passenger pigeons, dodos, eskimo curlew, aurochs, and Carolina parakeets were once abundant in their home ranges, until humans decided they were tasty, or pretty.

Even today, the last Northern white rhinos have probably been wiped out by poachers in last few years. If they haven't killed them all yet, they're estimated to be down to only 5 or animals left in the wild. They're not expected to survive as a species (well, subspecies really) much longer.

So humans are definitely the 'greatest' predator.

As for non-human predators, the African hunting dog (Lycaon pictus) is a consumate predator, with the most carnivorous diet of any of the Canids. They hunt in packs of about a dozen members today, but back when they weren't Endangered as they are today, packs of up to 40 members were common, and packs of over 100 have been recorded. Even today, they can take down zebra and wildebeest several times the size of the largest wild dog. Livestock doesn't stand much of a chance against them, which doesn't exactly endear them to local farmers and ranchers. They often injure or kill hyaenas that seek to scavenge their kills. Considering hyaenas will often drive lions away from lion kills, I'd put my money on the wild dogs over pretty much anything else alive.

If you're counting extinct critters though, the raptor dinosaurs like Deinonychus may have also hunted in packs.

Answer 2

I think a pride of say 12 lions, 3 males, 9 females, is more powerful than a pack of 12 wolves. Most wolf packs have 5 to 12 wolves, 24 is possible but extremely rare. Spotted hyenas are larger than wolves with stronger jaws and form more numerous packs than wolves do and hyenas are Africa's second to top predator, next to lions. It takes 3 hyenas to every one lioness to overpower lions according to National Geographics "Lions and Hyenas: Eternal Enemies" Throw males in there and forget it.

Wolves are the smartest of all canines. Dholes are dumber and seem to value their lives less than wolves do, they are far more aggressive and can kill a tiger or bear, with half the pack dying in the process. Dholes are about half the size of a wolf, but unlike wolves that avoid unnecessary fighting, these animals are bold and brazen.

Lions are the greatest land predators on earth. In the sea I'd have to say killer whales.

Answer 3

From the shear devastation of anything in it's path. Army ants

From the size of the predation and devastion of it's prey. Blue whales. One scoop of it's mouth, it swallow the whole school of herring. They also hunt by packs.

For solitary mammal predator - Tiger
For pack mammal hunters - wolves. Lions are fairly low in sucessful hunt rate. And they lack of the stimular of wolves. Wolves hunts by chasing preys til they are tired. Lion hunt by formation and short bursts.

For solitary reptile predator - saltwater crocodile

Answer 4

It's man who is the greatest predator. Man in general have dominated many different species of animals which cause majority to be in the endangered species list. Also, man have detonated a-bombs on two Japanese cities, killed many people in the name of religion, the Holocaust, two World Wars and many more to numerous to mention.

Answer 5

George Dubbya

Answer 6

Man

Answer 7

Hey, the greatest predator I know of is man. No one can survive an attack by the human race, don't you agree?

Answer 8

Mosquitos (though the spread of disease) have caused more deaths throughout history than any other animal by FAR. It's not glamorous, but they are the world's greatest killer.

Answer 9

Depends on whar era, today, it would be a toss up between the
bengal tiger or the grizzly bear. Just a guess.

Answer 10

If size isn't an issue, then I choose the praying mantis. Lightning quick and stealthy. If size is an isue then I'd choose Man. If it has to be an animal then I choose the great white shark.