Carnivores of the Ocean: Apex Predators and Hunters

Major Marine Carnivores

• Sharks (500+ species): Apex predators; dogfish to whale shark.
• Dolphins & toothed whales: Orcas (seals, whales), sperm whales (giant squid), dolphins (fish, squid).
• Seals & sea lions: Fish, squid, crustaceans; leopard seals hunt penguins/seals.
• Sea turtles (some): Loggerheads, leatherbacks eat jellyfish, fish, squid.
• Moray eels: Ambush predators in crevices; fish, squid, crustaceans.
• Sea snakes: Venomous; primarily fish-eaters in Indo-Pacific.

These predators maintain ecosystem balance through top-down control.