apex predator

American  

[ey-peks pred-uh-ter, -tawr] / ˈeɪ pɛks ˈprɛd ə tər, -ˌtɔr /

noun

1. a carnivore that preys on other animals but has no natural predators of its own; the predator at the top of a particular food chain.

   Sharks fill an important ecological niche as apex predators, keeping the population of other species from exploding.

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Etymology

Origin of apex predator

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

The findings suggest that peaceful coexistence between these two apex predators depends less on the total amount of prey available and more on having a variety of prey species and access to safe escape terrain.

From Science Daily

It wasn’t until 2011 that the apex predators returned, when a wolf ventured into the state from Oregon.

From Los Angeles Times

Sharks had been swimming in the culture before that, to be sure, often with the prefix “man-eating” appended, though men eat sharks too, and way more often — so who’s the real apex predator?

From Los Angeles Times

Proposed legislation to explore what it would take to reintroduce the rugged and elusive apex predator to the state’s high mountains died Thursday at the state Capitol.

From Los Angeles Times

Researchers do not know why the pod is targeting boats, but they have theorized that the behavior is a form of play for the curious apex predators.

From New York Times