Dolphins are apex predators in the ocean, meaning they are at the top of the food chain and have very few natural predators. However, a few animals can prey on dolphins, especially young or injured ones:
- Larger sharks: Great white sharks, tiger sharks, and bull sharks.
- Orcas (killer whales): The most common predators of dolphins.
- Other large marine mammals: Occasionally, very large seals or polar bears might take a young or injured dolphin.
Most dolphin deaths are not due to predation but result from human activities such as fishing nets, pollution, and habitat destruction.