predators – animals that hunt and kill other animals for survival

(Pronounced pre-duh-ter)

To remember the meaning of predators, use the following mnemonic:

The rabbit thought buying the fox a present would deter (predator) it, but its nature is to hunt other animals.

A predator is an organism that hunts, kills, and feeds on other organisms called prey.

Predators are an essential part of food chains and ecosystems, as they help control the prey populations and maintain ecological balance. They have evolved various adaptations to help them successfully catch their prey, such as sharp teeth and claws for capturing and killing, excellent eyesight or hearing for detecting prey, and fast movement for chasing. Examples of predators include: Lions hunting zebra, hawks catching mice, and spiders catching flies in their webs. 

Predator - prey relationships create evolutionary pressure on both species, where predators evolve better hunting capabilities while prey species develop better defence mechanisms like camouflage, speed, or warning colouration. This ongoing "arms race" between predators and prey is a key driver of evolution and helps shape the structure of ecosystems.