Sharks, big cats and a few hunters that died out millions of years ago share this list. Speed, size and success rate all pull in different directions.
1OrcaThe ocean's apex hunter, a pack-hunting dolphin that preys on seals, sharks and even whales.1000pts
2JaguarThe Americas' big cat, killing with a bite through the skull.775pts
3TigerThe largest living cat, a solitary stalker of deer and wild boar.628pts
4SpinosaurusA sail-backed Cretaceous theropod that hunted giant fish in North African rivers.610pts
5Komodo dragonThe largest living lizard, with a venomous bite that brings down deer.553pts
6Great white sharkThe largest predatory fish alive, an ambush hunter of seals and sea lions.488pts
7Peregrine falconThe fastest animal on Earth, striking birds mid-air in a dive of over 300 km/h.488pts
8Polar bearThe largest land carnivore alive, hunting seals from Arctic sea ice.413pts
9LionAfrica's social big cat, hunting buffalo and zebra in coordinated prides.413pts
10African wild dogAfrica's painted wolf, among the most successful hunters of any large predator.413pts
11MegalodonAn extinct giant shark up to about 15 metres long that hunted whales.413pts
12Tyrannosaurus rexLate Cretaceous tyrannosaur with the strongest bite of any known land animal.325pts
13Gray wolfA pack hunter that runs down elk and moose across three continents.325pts
14LeopardA stealthy cat that hauls kills heavier than itself up into trees.325pts
15Saltwater crocodileThe largest living reptile, an ambush predator that can take water buffalo.325pts
16Grizzly bearNorth America's brown bear, a predator of elk calves and salmon runs.325pts
17SmilodonThe saber-toothed cat of the Ice Age Americas, built to wrestle down big prey.222pts
18Harpy eagleA rainforest eagle with talons big enough to snatch monkeys and sloths.0pts
