True predation occurs at all levels of the animal kingdom and consists of a predator hunting and consuming its prey. Although predation is widespread including between humans and animals, one usually thinks of carnivorous mammals and birds when hearing the term predator.

The carnivorous birds of North America are included in the Raptor TrailHead Gallery. This trailhead gallery includes some of the more common large mammalian predators inhabiting the United States and Canada. These may include: coyotes, wolves, fox, badgers, cougars, bobcats, wolverines and the lynx.

Predators perform a key role in balancing the ecosystem by maintaining biodiversity among plant and animal species.