Apex predators (also
alpha predators or
superpredators) are
predators that are not
themselves preyed upon as a
species in the wild. These species
are often at the end of long
food chains, where they have a
crucial role in maintaining and
determining the health of
ecosystems. Even if not dangerous
to humans, they are formidable
predators in their respective
niches.
Apex predators often have a
special place in human culture and
they have come to represent
aspects of nature that humans find
important and often appear in
heraldry. The
eagle was the symbol of the
Roman Empire and is the animal
symbol of the United States of
America; a
lion has so served ancient
Assyria and modern Great Britain;
bears have symbolized Russia
for centuries despite
revolutionary changes. Some, such
as
tigers and lions, are
hunted by humans for trophies
or used in
Chinese medicine. Two apex
predators are often human
companions:
dogs and
cats exist mostly as pets; the
talents that these two creatures
show as hunters are either useful
in their own right or make them
adept at interacting with humans.
Humans also qualify as apex
predators.
Even the most efficient of
these creatures (humans excluded)
have difficult ecological niches
to fill; any loss of abilities
makes them vulnerable to other
predators, even of their own
species, and starvation.
Disappearance of their usual prey
often leads to their demise as
populations. Toxic substances in
the food chain such as
DDT and
mercury often concentrate in
apex predators to the detriment of
reproduction to an extent
impossible in creatures lower in
the food chain.
