# What Animals Have No Natural Enemies **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 11, 1999, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-have-no-natural-enemies/3231 "1999-09-11T20:47:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-have-no-natural-enemies/3231/41 "2017-04-07T00:28:39Z")
> [@Poto](#): > > Deer in North America. Only controlled by the CAR. Hunters are less useful in population control. Other than wiping out each other. I saw a half eaten deer at the beach once, coyotes killed the deer and left part of it the water. We still have some coyotes left in Ma, my state. Cockroaches don’t seem to have any natural enemies , I sure wish they did ! ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-have-no-natural-enemies/3231/42 "2017-04-07T01:07:22Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > What about blue whales? I mean, what the fuck could possibly pose a physical threat to such a monster? That was going to be my first thought. Unless giant squid. And as someone mentioned above, cougars/mountain lions. A healthy one in it’s natural environment has nothing that could take it. I discount that wolves could take it because they aren’t really in the same environment. And no bear could catch one, not that it would want to. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-have-no-natural-enemies/3231/43 "2017-04-07T02:05:08Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > What about blue whales? I mean, what the fuck could possibly pose a physical threat to such a monster? Killer whales. Orcas are the apex predators of the ocean – they’ll even eat great whites. (Seriously, if I had to be one animal on the planet, I’d be a killer whale. They’re total bad asses) ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-have-no-natural-enemies/3231/44 "2017-04-07T02:21:03Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Killer whales. Orcas are the apex predators of the ocean – they’ll even eat great whites. (Seriously, if I had to be one animal on the planet, I’d be a killer whale. They’re total bad asses) I agree. I once messed with an orca. I won’t make that mistake again. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-have-no-natural-enemies/3231/45 "2017-04-07T02:41:31Z")
> [@Lovetheoutdoors](#): > > Actually, cats don’t have natural predators. There are no animals that seek out or prey on cats. Cats are strict carnivores, coyotes are not obligate carnivores. If their paths cross, they will probably fight and kill each other. If by “kill each other” you mean “the coyote will eat the cat on go on its happy way with a fully belly and wagging tail…” Wild African cats (as in the little ones, not lions & leopards) are preyed upon by jackals and wild dogs. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-have-no-natural-enemies/3231/46 "2017-04-07T02:57:56Z")
My vote for “_animal_” with no natural enemy is antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Pit orca against [MRSA](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007261.htm), in a cage match? I predict orca will be spanked hard…unless Chuck Norris is orca’s tag team member. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-have-no-natural-enemies/3231/47 "2017-04-07T10:23:27Z")
[QUOTE=Tibby or Not Tibby My vote for “_animal_” with no natural enemy is antibiotic-resistant bacteria. [/QUOTE] ([URL=“[Bacteriophage - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacteriophage)”]Throat-clearing noise]([http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php?u=55317](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php)).) ---
**Author:** ![constanze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-have-no-natural-enemies/3231/48 "2017-04-07T10:30:55Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > Not counting humans as enemies, AND assuming the animal is full grown and healthy It sounds as if you are thinking of animals being attacked by other species for Food. But every adult animal is competing with the adults of its own species for Food, Habitat and mating. Two deer, or mutton sheep, will run headfirst at each other to win females. Hippos don’t eat meat, yet they cause many deaths in Africa attacking humans on the water as intruders into their space, or trampling anything underfoot when they leave the water. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-have-no-natural-enemies/3231/49 "2017-04-07T10:53:34Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > ([Throat-clearing noise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacteriophage).) Yes, but prokaryotic bacteria are at least in the general neighborhood of “animal/plant” lifeforms. Viruses are more like tiny non-living rotten robots. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-have-no-natural-enemies/3231/50 "2017-04-07T11:41:22Z")
> [@constanze](#): > > Hippos don’t eat meat Actually, [they do](http://mentalfloss.com/article/72550/hippos-eat-way-more-meat-we-thought-and-it-can-make-them-sick). (So do [cows](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPa-NetXeUk). And [deer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQOQdBLHrLk).) ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-have-no-natural-enemies/3231/51 "2017-04-07T12:06:31Z")
Lots of large predators are prey themselves when young. A baby python or anaconda can easily get snapped up by other larger animals. And many large whale species have to watch out for packs of orca that can rip them to shreds. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-have-no-natural-enemies/3231/52 "2017-04-07T12:08:38Z")
As noted, surprisingly few mammals are PURE vegetarians. Most herbivores will eat carrion if it’s available, and many will pounce on a small bird or lizard for an occasional high protein snack. ---
**Author:** ![DudeManBro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9bd4f/32.png) [@DudeManBro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DudeManBro)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-have-no-natural-enemies/3231/53 "2017-04-07T16:27:56Z")
Certain gorilla populations are at risk from leopards. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-have-no-natural-enemies/3231/54 "2017-04-07T16:35:12Z")
Giant tortoise. Mola Mola. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-have-no-natural-enemies/3231/55 "2017-04-07T17:46:04Z")
I found the recent video of lions hunting elephants … unfortunately the lions were hunting calves so this doesn’t really fit the OP … although the elephant that was taken down isn’t a calf, nor is it a full grown adult … Enjoy – [“Lions attack elephant - Planet Earth - BBC”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2ZW0EvMzSM) – 2006 – {YouTube 7’35"} \ [Wolverine hunting Godzilla](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKcZf_V4QYI) – {YouTube 4’55"} \ ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-have-no-natural-enemies/3231/56 "2017-04-07T18:06:53Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > "So, naturalists observe, a flea > Hath smaller fleas that on him prey; > And these have smaller still to bite 'em; > And so proceed _ad infinitim_ > > – Jonathan Swift > > (And, yes, fleas have parasites that prey on them.) > > * * * > > [www.sff.net/people/rothman](http://www.sff.net/people/rothman) The version I heard once… “Bigger fleas have smaller fleas, Upon their backs to bite’em, and smaller fleas have lesser fleas, and so on, _ad inifinitum_…” ---
**Author:** ![Weisshund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba8739/32.png) [@Weisshund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weisshund)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-have-no-natural-enemies/3231/57 "2017-04-07T18:47:30Z")
> [@purplehearingaid](#): > > I saw a half eaten deer at the beach once, coyotes killed the deer and left part of it the water. We still have some coyotes left in Ma, my state. > > Cockroaches don’t seem to have any natural enemies , I sure wish they did ! Sure they do Inside your house? maybe not on a non microscopic level, outside? Lots of things like to eat them. ---
**Author:** ![Weisshund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba8739/32.png) [@Weisshund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weisshund)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-have-no-natural-enemies/3231/58 "2017-04-07T18:57:01Z")
Adult great blue whale? ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_lining](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aca169/32.png) [@Silver\_lining](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_lining)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-have-no-natural-enemies/3231/59 "2017-04-07T19:19:31Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > Not counting humans as enemies, AND assuming the animal is full grown and healthy I can only think of a few. > > Gorilla > Elephant > Alligator > Bear (Grizzly or Polar) > > I was thinking lions have hyena packs that can kill a full grown lion. > > Maybe Hippos, Rhinos and Giraffes? > > Any other ideas? Some Whales. Killer Whale or Sperm are examples. The Alligator has natural enemies, such as large snakes, and hippos. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-have-no-natural-enemies/3231/60 "2017-04-07T19:42:41Z")
Saltwater crocodiles and [goliath tigerfish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tigerfish) appear to have no nonhuman predators. > [@Weisshund](#): > > Adult great blue whale? Orcas will attack [even mature blue whales](https://sites.google.com/a/pvlearners.net/the-blue-whale/defenses-and-predators). I don’t think a successful attack has been documented, but presumably they wouldn’t be trying if they couldn’t pull it off once in a while. ETA: Orcas will attack and kill sperm whales on occasion, too. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-have-no-natural-enemies/3231.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-have-no-natural-enemies/3231.md?page=4)